Brian Noble today urged departing Anthony Tonks to make the most of his new chance.

The young Bulls prop has joined Doncaster Lakers on a season-long loan, with Noble believing the experience will help decide whether he has what it takes to make the cut at Odsal.

Tonks, 20, is yet to appear for the Bulls first team but has been a regular performer in the Senior Academy side.

Behind Stuart Fielden, Joe Vagana and Andy Lynch, it was thought he may challenge Adam Watene for the fourth prop role this year but the 16-stone forward will instead operate in LHF Healthplan National League One.

Noble is keen to see how he will front up against some rugged old pros in that division, having so far only faced his contemporaries in the Academy.

If Tonks - who is under contract until the end of 2007 - handles the test then he will be one step closer to a Super League baptism.

Noble admitted: "I'm excited for Tony Tonks.

"He needs to play some men's rugby. He's been in the squad for a couple of years and it's about time he played against some

bigger blokes.

"We've done it consistently over the years, sending people out on loan.

"Stuart Reardon, Rob Parker, Paul Sykes and Jamie Peacock all did it. It's a good test to see if they can then cope with Super League.

"It's the same with Richard Johnson. He could be stifled if he played any more 21s football and needs to play against some size, so we'll see how he goes at Halifax."