Making the leap from under-20 academy rugby league to tangling with the likes of Melbourne Storm and the Leeds Rhinos in a matter of weeks may seem far-fetched, but Feltham teenager Max Edwards is blazing that trail.

The 19-year-old recently found himself thrown in at the deep end as starting stand-off in Harlequins RL’s two high-profile fixtures.

And the burly back admits he has been left stunned by the unfolding events.

Edwards said: “I was not expecting to get anywhere near the first team this season to be honest.

“When I got the call to say I would be starting against Melbourne I was in complete shock, but when it sank in I was really excited.

“It was really tough but I enjoyed it.

“I thought that might have been just a one-off so to get picked again to play against Leeds at Headingley was just crazy.

“That was obviously a difficult game for everybody but it did show me that if I keep improving in a few areas I can definitely play at that level.”

Edwards was snapped up by the Harlequins Foundation back in 2006 after impressing with both the West London Sharks and at the London South rugby league camps.

And the former Longford Community School pupil revealed his pathway to success happened purely by chance.

He added: “I used to play union, both at school and for Staines, and because I wanted to find something to keep myself fit over the summer I signed up with the Sharks.

“I found that my skills as a stand-off in union could easily transfer to league and it was a pretty smooth transition.

“Then when I got spotted at the rugby camp and asked to join the Foundation it pretty much made up my mind for me.

“There is no doubt that the workrate and the physicality in league is harder than union.

“The sheer presence of players is a lot more noticeable.

“But I am quite a sporty person anyway and I have worked really hard on making that switch.”

Edwards is now a regular in the under-20s line-up, having made a try-scoring appearance in last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Salford’s youngsters.

And the teenager has high hopes for his future in the game.

Edwards added: “Obviously there are quite a few players to come back from injury in the first team squad but I feel I have put a marker down.

“Brian McDermott gave me a tap on the head and said ‘well done’ after the Leeds game and that is about as much as you get out of him.

“As long as I keep building my knowledge and improving my ability to spot gaps I think I can succeed at the top level.

“It is all about continuing to up my game to get another first team chance, and grabbing that chance when it comes along.”