KEVIN Penny looks to have earned himself a starting spot for the first game of Super League XX.

The flyer’s exquisite brace of tries in a busy display against Hull Kingston Rovers on Sunday caught his coach’s eye as he followed up a strong performance in the previous friendly against Widnes Vikings.

And boss Tony Smith feels the 27-year-old is now a more polished winger to be lighting up elite-level rugby league after initially releasing the Warringtonian in 2010.

“It’s going to be hard to keep him out isn’t it after the performances,” said Smith.

“Kev has done everything asked of him. In training he has been outstanding, he’s trained the house down all through our pre-season and deserved the opportunity against Widnes.

“He backed it up with a performance against Widnes, in fact both wingers (Gene Ormsby) were very good that day.

“Kevin then got the nod against Hull KR and took advantage of it once again.”

Finishing has never been an issue for the former Padgate High School pupil, who broke on to the scene with two electrifying tries against Smith’s Leeds Rhinos team in 2007.

But having not taken up the sport until he was 16, it was felt that some of the intuitive positional and defensive play developed when juniors climb the age groups were at times absent from his game.

Smith said: “Speed is an incredible asset to have in any sport, but in rugby league – wow. That’s as long as it adds on to some other things and an understanding of the game.

“Kevin’s worked that out now. He knows when to turn up, where he needs to be and what sort of tackle is needed at certain times.

“He had to go away and learn some of that but he has learned well.”

Spells with Wakefield and Widnes preceded brief time in rugby union before he settled in the Championship with Wolves’ former partner club Swinton Lions.

After keeping a check on his progress, Smith brought Penny back into the Wolves fold last year while playing him on dual registration with Swinton.

Penny got the Wolves recall he had been craving part way through last season but after four tries in three appearances a knee injury cost him his spot.

On Sunday he showed he has lost none of his devastating pace while bulking up his frame and focusing on becoming a more accomplished all-rounder.

Both long-range scores were created by stand off Gareth O’Brien, the first coming from a re-start when a smart pass sent Penny haring past former Parramatta Eels wingman Ken Sio and backing his pace to beat the covering full back Kieran Dixonas he hugged the North Stand touchline.

And then at the start of the second half he got himself into perfect position to take another pass from O’Brien after the stand off had intercepted a Hull KR attack on his own 20-metre line.

Smith said: “For Gaz O’Brien to be defending his own line, take an intercept, look around and find he had Kev Penny to finish the play isn’t a bad asset to have.

“And with the first try from the kick-off and a high ball they were looking to smash the half back but when that half back passes to the winger for a try and you have to go back behind your own posts again is demoralising for teams. That’s what speed can do for you.”

After 36 players got a run in the weekend’s two friendlies, Smith acknowledged: “I’ve got some headaches for the next game, haven’t I? It’s great. I like headaches.”

Ben Harrison could still be part of that selection headache for Round One against Salford on Saturday, February 7 despite collecting an injury against Toulouse.

Smith said: “He’s popped a rib cartilage but it’s manageable. It will settle down and there’s potential to have pain killers and play. We’ll assess that as it gets closer but I wouldn’t rule him out at this stage.”