WARRINGTON Wolves welcomed Matty Russell back to the starting line-up against Catalans Dragons but he was unable to force Kevin Penny out of the full-back berth.

Russell, who missed the opening three games due to dental surgery after losing teeth in a high tackle against Widnes Vikings last September, was the regular number one in a debut 2014 Wolves campaign in which he was Super League's highest metre maker.

With Penny having taken over at the back following Stefan Ratchford's shoulder injury, Russell's comeback game in France was his first start on the wing in primrose and blue.

Wolves' head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith was clearly happy with Penny's contribution the previous week against St George Illwarra Dragons in the World Club Series.

"If the fans watched the previous week, I think they would have been pretty happy to see Kevin at full back (in France)," said Smith.

"And I thought Kevin was outstanding again at full back.

"Positionally he was very good. He showed his knowledge has improved so much about our game and his positional play was enormous on many occasions. He came up with some really good stuff."

Wolves supporters have become accustomed to seeing Russell as a full back, having also played there for Hull on loan from Wigan in 2012 as well as being a shining light in the role for Scotland in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Smith said: "Matty's played a lot of his career on the wing.

"He probably hasn't played as much full back as he has wing, and he played almost entirely there at the Gold Coast a couple of years ago.

"Matty had some good moments there in his first game back."

Last year's Academy Grand Final man of the match winner Joe Philbin, a 20-year-old back row product of Culcheth Eagles and Latchford Albion, caught the eye on his fourth Super League appearance off the bench - his first of 2015.

A long-range break from a re-start helped Wolves temporarily turn the momentum against Catalans Dragons and he crossed for his first senior try too.

Smith said: "Joe had some good touches.

"Each time he's had a taste of first grade he's performed well.

"He's still learning but he's showed what a handful he can be.

"He made a good fist of it against Catalans and was one of the shining lights."