Watkins showing promise at full back

England centre Kallum Watkins has been given the green light to continue filling in as full-back in the absence of injured Zak Hardaker.

Watkins, 21, stepped in for Hardaker in the 18-14 World Club Challenge defeat at the hands of Melbourne Storm on Friday and earned the praise of coach Brian McDermott.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post he said: “I thought Kallum was good, I thought he looked very potent and in the main he was defensively very sound.

“In terms of what we expected and what we delivered, he was good and it was a very promising performance from him.”

The Rhinos boss also revealed that Hardaker is to have surgery on his broken thumb whereby a pin will be inserted which will see him out of action for three to four weeks.