Paul grows into new role

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Paul resisted Noble's attempts to turn him into a hooker but switched with success between the two roles in his first season with Salford last year and, following the capture of New Zealand scrum-half Jeremy Smith, has no problems with sharing the hooking role with Malcolm Alker on the Reds return to Super League.

"I love playing in the middle of the park," he said. "It's a tougher position physically but an easier position mentally."

He added: "I enjoy it but I remember when Brian Noble started playing me there, I used to fight tooth and nail against it.

"I would be in tears arguing with Nobbie saying 'I want to play in the halves' and he would say 'no, we need you to do that'.

"It took me a couple of years to learn how to play hooker. As a half-back all I used to do was run around the field and burn energy for no reason.

"Now I relish the opportunity so I guess Nobbie was right all along. I thought I knew better.

"I can foresee situations when I have to play back in the halves if someone picks up an injury and Bomber (Salford coach Shaun McRae) has me training all over the place at the moment."