Josh Thewlis on his senior debut for Warrington Wolves

The 17-year-old became the second-youngest Wire debutant in the Super League era by starting at full-back against Catalans Dragons.

Thewlis put in an impressive showing and helped The Wire to a 34-4 victory.

With Stefan Ratchford injured and Jake Mamo suspended, talk has rumbled for much of the week that Waterhead Warriors junior Thewlis would be given his debut at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He revealed the slightly inconvenient time at which he heard he was going to play.

“I was actually in the middle of a driving lesson when I got the call from Steve, so I couldn’t answer,” he said.

“I called him back and he told me to get the lesson done.

“It was a nervous couple of hours after that but I spoke to him when I was finished and I found out I was playing.

“I’ve tried to stay off social media all week and just concentrate on playing the game.

“I only found out I was the second youngest to play for Warrington in Super League earlier today. Ben Currie and Mike Cooper came in pretty young as well so they tipped me up for what was coming.

“I’m over the moon but it was made easy for me.

“People like Blake Austin and Dec Patton and other leaders like Chris Hill and Mike Cooper had me one step ahead. They pretty much carried me round the pitch.

“I wanted to start strong and then build on that, but the lads got around me.

“After I did something good, they made sure to let me know about it.

“The crowd got behind everything I did which really built me up as well.”

As he emerged from the tunnel before kick off, Thewlis revealed he got some advice from an unlikely source.

“I was actually walking out next to Sam Tomkins, who wished me luck and told me to make sure I took the high balls,” he said.

“Once I touched the ball, the nerves were gone and I had a job to do.

“I just need to keep my head down and my feet on the floor.

“I’ll keep playing well for the academy – whoever I’m playing for, it’s a game. It’s all the same for me.”