FRANCE international Benjamin Jullien will be pushing for a first-team spot at Warrington Wolves next season, according to the club's head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith.

The 20-year-old has penned a full-time deal at the club, with winger Kevin Penny also signing a two-year contract extension until 2017.

And Smith says the young back rower or centre, who has featured regularly for partner club North Wales Crusaders this term, would have already made his Warrington debut were it not for RFL rules.

“He’ll be pushing for it,” said Smith. “He would have already have played first team this year without these silly rules that restrict players after a certain date.

"Kev’s been given some opportunities and he’s done some good things. He’s been solid and he’s had some good appearances for us this year.

“Benjamin’s been with us just about all year. We’re quite excited about him and he’s fitted in really well with our boys this year.”

The former Sporting Olympique Avignon man caught France boss, and Wolves assistant coach, Richard Agar’s eye and was included in the national squad for the 2014 European Championships.

“He and (under 19s player) Yohan Veve came earlier in the year for some experience and Yohan’s gone back, but Benjamin’s stayed,” explained Smith.

“He’s been training with us full time and playing for North Wales and regularly picking up man of the match awards.

“He’s certainly been impressive in training as well – we’re delighted.

“I’m a good friend of the French coach, he mentioned that Benjamin’s a chance for the national team and has been involved in the national team before.”

Wolves have lost experience at centre this year with the likes of Joel Monaghan, Simon Grix and Chris Bridge leaving, but Smith insists they have adequate cover for the 2016 season.

"They’re scarce," he said. "Whether there’s option to bring anyone else in that’s yet to be seen, but we’ll sit down certainly and assess all that in the next little while.

"In the meantime we feel we’re adequately covered.

"Rhys Evans should be over all his injuries by then, along with Toby King and we’ve got a few options within the ranks there.

"We feel we’ll be able to cater for some of that. Stefan (Ratchford) is able to play there as well so we’ve got a few options in those positions.

"There are some other people who are putting their hands up as well. Ben Currie can adequately play there as well as Jack Hughes."

But Smith would not rule out further recruitment elsewhere for 2016.

"There will be a little bit in the next little while," he said. "We need to finish the season and a few people need to finish their contracts before too much else happens."

Meanwhile, Grix will play his rugby at Halifax next season on a part-time deal alongside his performance role at Warrington.