Simon Grix is set to be handed an extended period in the first team to forge a half-back partnership with Lee Briers.

The form of 20-year-old Grix has been one of the few plus points during recent weeks and Paul Cullen wants the former Halifax player to be his regular stand off for the foreseeable future.

Grix, who only made his debut for the club in April after a serious ankle injury, has fended off Chris Bridge and Michael Sullivan to play in the halves in the last two games and Cullen has vowed to stick with him in the coming weeks.

"My opinion at the moment is that Simon Grix is the man to play stand off with Lee Briers at scrum half," said Cullen.

"He is showing more consistency in the way he trains and has had fewer injuries than Michael Sullivan, who has been troubled with neck, back and hamstring injuries, and Chris Bridge.

"Simon is finding his form, fitness and confidence on the back of one of the worst injuries I've ever seen.

"We have to be patient with him. I can't keep putting him in and taking him out on a weekly basis on good form and bad form. We are trying to offer some continuity to the partnership between Lee and Simon."

Briers' switch to scrum half will not affect his role as the lead half back, while Cullen has admitted the signing of Sullivan, who was expected to be the first-choice scrum half this season but will now play at hooker in the absence of Jon Clarke and Mark Gleeson, has not worked out as planned.

He said: "I think that is pretty obvious to everyone.

"Our thought process of recreating Nathan Wood's presence and energy alongside Lee Briers simply hasn't worked.

"Michael lost his confidence playing in that position so we are trying to recreate that by playing him in what he and we perceive to be his best role, which is running from dummy half.

"We think he could have done it from the number seven position but we now have no option to do it from nine because of injuries."

Grix, who sees himself as a natural loose forward, has expressed his pleasure at the faith shown in him.

He said: "It's good to know that Paul Cullen rates me like that and has confidence in me to start in the halves.

"In an ideal world you'd have both Bridgey and Sully playing because they can both win you a game in an instant but obviously only 13 can play and I'm glad I have been in the 13 of late.

"I've been pleased with the way I have been playing although I can play better. A player can always improve on everything he does but I think I am heading in the right direction."