TWO years of pent up frustration were spectacularly unleashed as Richie Mathers celebrated his Warrington Wolves return in some style.

Featherstone were the hapless victims of Mathers’ wrath, the full back scoring two tries in an impressive display during Sunday’s 56-8 Challenge Cup win.

For the 25-year-old former England international, it was about much more than merely making a positive impression on his return debut.

It represented a chance to get his career back on track following an injury-hit 12 months Down Under with the NRL’s Gold Coast Titans and a difficult spell at Wigan.

Mathers has not had it easy since moving to Wolves either, having to wait more than a month before making his first appearance.

But, like a tightly-coiled spring, he burst into action at The Chris Moyles Stadium and it was clear how much the opportunity meant, Mathers screaming and pumping his fist after he touched down the first of his try double.

It was just a small sign of the gratitude felt by Mathers at being able to play his part in what he describes as a ‘great’ club.

He said: “I’m really pleased. I wanted to go out there and play some solid rugby and play my part.

“That’s what I wanted to do, just come in and make a positive impact. This is a great team to play for.

“I’m not getting carried away though. It was good to score two tries on my debut but I’ve still got plenty of hard work to do.”

He added: “My reaction today was all a by-product of the last couple of years.

“There’s been a lot of frustration built up in me because I missed a lot of rugby through injury and then things didn’t work out for me at Wigan.

“So in my celebrations today, you saw a lot of pent up frustration.

“I’m happy to be involved with a club like this. It’s been great and I can’t praise the lads enough.

“It’s always hard coming into a new scenario but everyone has made the transition much easier for me. They’ve bent over backwards to try and help me fit in.”

Part of the attraction for Mathers in joining Wolves was the chance to join up once more with old mentor Tony Smith.

Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby oversaw the full back’s ascent to regular first-grade rugby while head coach at Leeds, giving him the number one shirt ahead of Great britain star Gary Connolly.

And despite only working with Smith for five weeks, Mathers says he can already see signs the Australian is having a positive impact on his game.

He said: “Tony pushes the right buttons. He expects a lot and it’s hard work at times but if you buy into it, it pays dividends and that’s what we’re starting to see.

“It’s good working with him and it’s challenging. I knew it wasn’t going to be the easiest option but I felt it was the right one.

There are things that are required to play in Tony’s teams and it means you have to put in the work. It’s all about doing the small things well.

“It’s refreshing to work with Tony and it’s just nice to be coached again.

“First and foremost, he’s honest and, as a leader of a team, that’s the stock standard you require.

“On the back of that, his knowledge of the game is unbelievable. He points out things I don’t see and that’s already started to help me with my game.”