Harry Robertson impresses on senior Saints debut at Wigan

Making a senior bow is always a landmark date for any player, but to do so in front of 20,000 in the cauldron-like atmosphere of rugby league's biggest derby was always going to be a challenge.

And yet it was one the former Halton Farnworth Hornets product passed with flying colours.

Not only did he bring a generally safe performance under a series of testing Harry Smith kicks but with the the ball he offered a dash of flair and dynamism to the Saints attack.

Coach Paul Wellens said: "I know from personal experience, full back is a very difficult position to play, particularly when you're dealing with the kicking game like Harry Smith’s and even the best and most experienced full backs make mistakes against that type of kicking game at times.

"Harry made one there tonight but his all round game I thought was excellent."

By bringing in Robertson, Saints could shuffle their spine with Jack Welsby partnering Jonny Lomax in the halves.

Wellens had more than an inkling that Robertson would keep his end up - despite it being a baptism of fire. 

Wellens added: "He trained brilliantly on Tuesday afternoon which only confirmed that I was making the right decision by giving him an opportunity.

"He trained with so much energy and covered every blade of grass on the training field.

"I'm a big believer in you end up playing as you train. So it's really encouraging to see Harry back up his training performance, out there on the field."

Robertson recently scored seven tries playing in the Saints Academy - and was capped by the England Academy.

But this is a step up, beyond age-grade rugby against seasoned professionals - and Wellens was delighted to see the club's third debutant in a fortnight step up to the plate. 

"It's the first time really he's ever played against men," he said.

"So that's an amazing feat in itself.

"He kept going after the game and that's what I loved about him. Quite often on debut, you see a young player make an error or two and they shy away from the action."

Robertson backed up Curtis Sironen to send Jack Welsby over for Saints' first try in a well-executed touchdown in the first half.

And even late in the game, the young full back kept weaving, probing and looking to prise a gap in the Warriors defence.

Wellens said: "What Harry Robertson did was keep going at the action, and he’s very similar to Jack Welsby in that respect.

"Jack's one of those people - golfers say don't take your divot with you - it's kind of that mentality.

"Jack doesn't dwell on mistakes, he goes again and Harry is very similar so it's really encouraging for me as the coach to see him continue to go after the game despite making a couple of errors which can happen - and will happen again for him, so he's got to keep responding."