TAYLOR Welch returned to the reserves on Thursday boosted by praise from first-team boss Jimmy Lowes after his Super League debut at Castleford.

The 19-year-old winger from Dallas was handed his first-team bow last weekend after Lowes decided to leave out Kevin Penny, whose defensive vulnerability was exposed a week earlier against Hull KR.

The American became the second player after Adam Neal to make the first team after going on the Wolves under 16s tour to Australia in 2006.

Welch, who was in the Lymm High School rugby union team that won the Daily Mail Under 18s Schools Vase at Twickenham in 2006, was able to return to the reserves for their final game of the regular season at Bradford on Thursday with the first team not in action until next weekend.

Lowes has so far given little away when it comes to the question of whether the American will continue in the team or whether Penny will return for the play-offs.

But the boss was pleased with Welch’s performance at Castleford in front of the Sky cameras.

“He didn’t have a lot to do but I thought he did OK,” said Lowes.

“He’s done all right in the reserves and he’s impressed in training.

“It was a big step for him, coming in at this level and with a lot of pressure on him with the television.”