Yusuf Aydin keen to grasp chance with hometown Wakefield Trinity

The top flight is the only competition that has been played since August, with the likes of the Betfred Championship, Women’s Super League and Reserves Championship all cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

One Trinity player who is grasping his chance is Yusuf Aydin.

He made his debut as Wakefield were narrowly beaten by Hull FC last month and is a player who head coach Chris Chester has already identified as someone who could become more of a regular next season.

There is no place for Aydin in Trinity’s 21-man squad for tomorrow night’s clash with St Helens, as Wakefield welcome back a host of players from injury and self-isolation.

But with games coming thick and fast over the next month, there is little doubt the 19-year-old will feature again before the end of the prolonged campaign.

“I was over the moon when Chezzy [Chris Chester] told me – playing for my hometown club was such a massive dream,” he told superleague.co.uk of his reaction when he discovered he would make his debut.

“I was gutted when the reserve league got cancelled and didn’t know how much rugby I’d play this season.

“In many ways, it was a blessing. It meant I had to work that much harder to get an opportunity to play rugby in 2020.

“The day of the game itself was quite a nervous one, for me.

“I felt much better when I started warming up and got the ball in hand - all the excitement came flooding back.”

Playing without supporters present for his debut helped to ease the pressure on Aydin’s shoulders.

Most of his appearances in the Under-19s would have been without fans in attendance and the 19-year-old feels a more relaxed atmosphere suits some players.

“I would say that not playing in front of supporters probably helped - it took the pressure off me a bit,” he added.

“I have never really played in front of a crowd before; most of the matches in my career to date have come at Under-19’s level where no one is watching.

“It could help the players making their debuts this season because the transition won’t feel as steep.

“Even with no relegation, there’s still a pressure to perform.

“However, the coaches can operate in a more relaxed manner and pick their side with a little bit less pressure on them.

“A relaxed atmosphere suits players, too. It is then our responsibility to translate that into results on the pitch.”