RATHER than just being “one for the future,” Matt Davis is keen to show Warrington Wolves fans that he is a player for the here and now.

However, with his path to the first team seemingly littered with seasoned internationals and NRL-proven talent, he knows that will be easier said than done.

This season will be the 22-year-old second rower’s first crack at Super League having shone in the Championship with London Broncos.

He was named their player’s player of the year last year as he helped them to an unlikely promotion, but now he is ready to step up.

Davis knows what he is up against in the short-term but is happy to learn from the players he finds himself surrounded by.

“I wasn’t silly when I signed here,” he said.

“I was starting 13 at London and was playing 80 minutes every week but I knew that wouldn’t be the case here. I would have been stupid to think that.

“I know I will have to work for my place in the team and there’s some quality lads in front of me.

“As long as I take my chance when it comes, it will happen for me and I will be one for the here and now.

“I watched some of the guys that are here growing up.

“People like Chris Hill, Stef Ratchford, Mike Cooper were players I watched play when I was younger.

“I just take it day-by-day. I love being involved with these players and learning from them.

“Jason Clark plays in a similar position to me and is someone I’d like to base my game around.

“He has been really good with me and I’ve picked up a few little bits off him.

“The speed these boys play at is unbelievable so I’m having to pick that up as well to get on the same wavelength.

“I’ve worked really hard in pre-season so I’m sure it will pay off.”

READ > Warrington Wolves fans' views at start of Super League 2019

Warrington Guardian:

Matt Davis in pre-season training. Picture by Mike Boden

Davis stands out from the rest of his teammates as the only one in the first-team squad not to come from a traditional rugby league heartland.

While his teammates hail from outposts of the game from all over the globe, Davis was born and raised in Leicestershire and played for the Leicester Storm amateur club before joining the London Broncos academy.

He made his first-team debut aged 19 in 2015 in the same game as future Broncos head coach and current Wire assistant Andrew Henderson made his bow for the club.

After blossoming under the tutelage of Henderson and successor Danny Ward, the time came for Davis to step up to the top level with his move to The Wire being confirmed in June last year.

“I’ve settled in really well. I’m working hard and I’m taking on board everything Pricey and the coaches are telling me,” he said.

“The level the lads are playing at is something I’m really enjoying. I knew I was coming to such a massive club.

“I’m from Leicester and a working-class background. Warrington is more like what I’m used to.

“London was a massive eye-opener for me having moved down there when I was 17.

“I like it up here though. I’ve settled in really well.”

While he may not hail from an area known as a rugby league hotbed, a love of the game has developed in the Davis family.

Younger brother Sam is a first-teamer at the Broncos and Davis says the family are proud and excited to have two brothers playing in Super League.

The Wire are due to meet London on April 5 and July 6 and, if he gets a game, the elder Davis brother knows who he will be targeting.

“If I get to play against London, I’m sure me and Sam be having a good dig at each other,” he said.

“We’ve have had little battles over the years like brothers do. We’re both as aggressive as each other and we play in a similar way.

“I used to live with Sam so I do miss him a lot. We lived with Lewis Bienek, who’s gone to Hull FC, as well.

“It will be good to play against both of given the chance.

“Dad is buzzing. Mum has been dragged around for years to different rugby grounds so it’s nice for her that it’s starting to pay off.”