JAMES Laithwaite is enjoying life as one of the two Warrington Wolves Academy graduates to occupy the starting back row spots this campaign.

The 23-year-old has started all four games for Wolves this season, filling the role last year’s joint-skipper Ben Westwood occupied for many years before moving to loose forward.

With Trent Waterhouse returning to Australia at the end of the 2014 campaign, Laithwaite now forms a youthful back row alongside 20-year-old Ben Currie.

And the former Crosfields amateur has welcomed the extra responsibility placed on him in 2015.

“I’m loving it,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep playing well and stay injury-free.

“I’ve played alongside Ben for four or five years, through the under 18s and the reserves.

“Now we’re both into the first team, so it’s pleasing to see two lads that have come through the Academy playing together in the back row.”

Laithwaite admits the pair are still learning their trade, but knows in teammate Westwood he has a role model in which he can look to emulate.

“We’re still learning the game and hopefully we can have many a good performance for Warrington,” he added.

“We’re both the next generation really. Trent’s moved on and Bennie Westwood’s moved into loose forward, so there are some big shoes to fill for me and Ben.

“I’m mates with Bennie, he keeps himself to himself really, but you can learn a lot from Bennie on the field.

“I grew up watching Bennie and if I can try and do what he does as a player then I’ll go a long way.”

Laithwaite, who had spells on loan at Leigh Centurions and Sunday’s opponents Hull KR before cementing a Wolves spot in 2014, is hoping to build on a solid season last term.

He started 14 times for Tony Smith’s side and made 10 appearances from the bench.

“It came as a bit of a surprise to play so many games,” explained the former England Academy international.

“I was pleased with my form last year. We were unlucky to miss out on a couple of finals, but I had a good pre-season.

“I knuckled down and wanted to try and start the season in the team, start it well and keep going.”

But he has witnessed a noticeable increase in intensity at the start of the 2015 Super League season.

“I felt that the Salford and Hull FC games were really physical,” added Laithwaite.

“Defensively, both teams were committed and they were really tough games.

“We came out with two wins which was pleasing, then went into the World Club Series game which was again very physical.”

But Laithwaite says that physical start was no excuse for poor performances all round in defeat to Catalans Dragons in France on Saturday.

“Unfortunately it was a bit of an off day for too many of our players,” he said.

“But we don’t like to make excuses. On the day there were too many of us having an off day.

“You can sometimes get away with having one or two players off their game and other lads bringing them through, but when most of the team aren’t at the races it isn’t good.

“We’ll address the game and where we went wrong and hopefully fix that up this week.”