SUPER League debutant and new dad Declan Patton is taking it all in his stride.

The 19-year-old, who lives in Chapelford, made his first senior Warrington Wolves appearance in the 80-0 win against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on Saturday – 16 days after the birth of his daughter.

He and mum Natalie Jones, the daughter of former Liverpool and England right back Rob Jones, welcomed Frankie Rose into the world on March 26.

Dec, a former pupil at Newman High and St Gregory’s High Schools, said: “It’s probably been the best month of my life so far, having my little girl and making my debut for my hometown club.

“Both are unreal feelings. I can’t describe at the minute how happy I am with everything that’s gone on.”

And the bar raises again tonight, Thursday, when Dec is expected to keep his place in Tony Smith’s team for one of the most intense matches of the season away to arch-rivals Wigan.

“If I get my chance, I’d love it,” said Dec, who started playing rugby aged six and then football at Woolston Rovers before switching to Latchford Albion.

“I’ll treat it like another debut and grab the chance with both hands.”

Only two weeks ago Dec started the season with Wolves’ partner club North Wales Crusaders two leagues below.

But Wolves turned to him and fellow youngsters Toby King and Gene Ormsby to help end a four-match losing streak that had left many of the club’s supporters disgruntled.

His call-up along with becoming a new dad was a lot to take on board but he is unfazed.

“I don’t put pressure on myself,” said the former St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School youngster.

“I just take things as they come along and then deal with them.

“I don’t let anything build up.

“With the rugby, I’ve just got to keep my feet on the ground, keep performing each week and taking my chances when they come.”

Against Wigan, he could be facing the current England scrum half Matty Smith and young pretender George Williams, who Dec has faced numerous occasions during his rise through the youth ranks at Warrington schoolboy, scholarship and academy levels.

He is relishing the chance, saying: “If you want to be the best, you’ve got to play the best. I’m really excited.”

And he is buoyed by making his Super League debut in the club’s highest league win in history in front of the home fans, including many members of his family and friends.

He found out early in the week he would be facing Wakefield and said he has 50 hundred cousins and so half of the support in the South Stand on Saturday was probably made up of his family.

“I don’t get too nervous,” he said.

“I just kept my head down, listened to what the coaches had to say and tried to put training into practice on the field. Hopefully I did that.

“It was a great feeling. I couldn’t have asked for more really – a big score like that is one of the best debuts you can have.

“Before the game, the lads said 'It’s his debut, let him remember it' and that’s what they did. I’m really happy, they’re a great bunch of lads who make you feel really welcome.”