LAST Friday's miserable defeat by Castleford was not the ideal night to make a debut - but nevertheless both Jonny Vaughan and Jake Burns came off the bench for their maiden senior Saints appearances.

Former England Academy captain Vaughan (Heritage number 1289) and hooker Burns (Heritage number 1288) both came on in the second half of Friday's game and were in the thick of it straight away

Burns has earned plaudits for the unorthodox way he has made it to the full time Super League environment.

(Image: Bernard Platt)

And here are high hopes for 19-year-old Vaughan, who has come through the Saints Academy system after joining aged 14.

A former junior kickboxing champion at a very young age, Vaughan is a natural competitor evidenced by his weekly determination to win the pre-match warm-up final run to the half way line.

Coach Paul Wellens said: "It was great to give Jonny that opportunity alongside Jake Burns.

"Jonny has had an unbelievable pre-season – and as good a pre-season probably that first time full time kid has had.

(Image: Bernard Platt)

"He's incredibly fit and he's unbelievably confident for a young person.

"I think he's shown that he's comfortable being in that environment.

"The challenges are going to get tougher, as they do for young players, but the early signs are very good for Jonny and we feel he can have a long, successful career the club."

Wellens confirmed that Vaughan was again in the frame for the 17 this week, with Saints still missing centre Konrad Hurrell and wing Tommy Makinson.

Saints prop Matty Lees has been impressed by the competitiveness of his young teammate since he pushed up to the full time environment.

Lees said: "If you see him at training or in pre-season he is always pushing to win those fitness drills and any little competition he is always at the front of it.

!He definitely deserved a shot last week."