Making his Super League debut was a perfect first anniversary present for Bulls youngster James Donaldson.

The highly-rated loose forward came off the bench against Castleford Tigers on Sunday to mark his professional bow.

It came almost a year to the day after he made the daunting decision to uproot from his Whitehaven home and move down to Bradford ready to start life as a full-time rugby player.

Chased by all the top clubs, the Cumbrian ace signed for the Bulls in January of last year but did not relocate until July, having completed his GCSEs.

Twelve months on and the England Schoolboys international admits: “I’m so glad I did choose Bradford.

“It’s an awesome club and everyone wants to help you here as much as they can to get you to the next level.

“Playing on Sunday was a year almost to the day since I’d come down here and it was a great experience.”

At just 17 years and 294 days, Donaldson is the club’s youngest debutant since Sam Burgess made his bow at Headingley in 2006.

Burgess was slightly younger but now Wath Brow product Donaldson will be hoping he gets the chance to make the same rapid strides as his famous team-mate.

He only managed to get a brief five-minute spell at the end of the Bulls’ topsy-turvy 40-38 defeat against Cas but it was a taste of things to come.

An injury to fellow youngster Elliott Whitehead saw Donaldson get his spot on the bench and he admitted he never expected to win a Super League shot in 2009.

He explained: “When I came down here I set my goal to make my Super League debut this year. I wasn’t really expecting to do it though.

“It was great to get the chance. When Deacs went down injured it looked like I might get on then but Steve (McNamara) pulled me back as he was okay.

“I understand why he didn’t want to throw me in there before and it was just awesome getting on the pitch later.

“When you train all year and every day with these guys, it’s brilliant to get out there and actually take part in a Super League match with them.

“I’ve been involved as 18th man before, which was good, but it’s a lot different being in the team and being involved like that.

“Obviously I’m going to try and stay in for this week too but it’s just up to the coach what he thinks is best for the side and I just hope we can find some results.”

Donaldson is in line to remain in McNamara’s plans for the trip to Hull KR, although Whitehead could return from a foot injury.

Meanwhile, there was one special guest in the Odsal crowd proudly watching Donaldson’s debut – his elder brother Craig, who had only been discharged from hospital last Wednesday six months after breaking his neck and being paralysed in an accident at the family farm.