Hull brickie Shaul is laying solid foundations after dramatic debut

The full-back, 20, scored twice including one stunning 60m individual try to help the Airlie Birds earn a much-needed win at Wakefield on Easter Monday.

He was only given a first-team contract by head coach Peter Gentle last winter.

“When I was working back then on a building site I never thought I’d be putting on the FC jersey,” admitted Shaul, who came through the same Skirlaugh amateur club that nurtured England coach Steve McNamara.

“I never really expected it but it was a dream come true playing for Hull. I’ve always been a fan and so are my family.

“I found out Saturday morning I was in but he (Gentle) had always said I might be playing Monday so I’d prepared myself for it.”

It remains to be seen whether he will be involved against Catalan Dragons this Sunday – Australian full-back Shannon McDonnell is nearing fitness – but Shaul’s impressive bow certainly bodes well for the future.

“Funnily enough I didn’t really get nervous,” he added.

“I slept fine, tried to keep my mind of it all, went for a feed with the lads and played some X Box.

“I’d been desperate to get playing and it was great to score that first one.

“There was a good quick play the ball by Danny Tickle and I just managed to see a gap, see the space and pinned my ears back.

“The standard was tough and I was blowing near the end getting cramp but we needed two points especially for the fans who’d been getting on our back a bit.”

The troubling aspect now is that if McDonnell does resume, Shaul may not have anywhere to play for the foreseeable future.

Too old for the Hull Under-19s side, he had been on dual-registration at York City Knights but, given they have a high-profile full-back of their own in Tom Carr, was played on the wing and then got hit by injury.

Before Monday’s heroics, Hull assistant coach Lee Radford had been trying desperately to get him a game with other Championship and Championship One clubs but all to no avail.

There is, hopefully, likely to be more takers now but it does highlight the flaws of the system.