STRIDING into the room with the sort of energy that has already made him a fans' favourite at the KC Stadium, Tom Lineham looks every bit a commanding figure.
The cheeky smile gives away his youthfulness, but standing 6ft 2ins and with the build of a forward, Lineham no longer portrays the under-20s player with bags of potential. He's a Super League player in his own right and the tag hangs well on him.
"I don't know what all the fuss is about with this Super League lark," quips Lineham, celebrating a two-try show in the 28-8 win against Catalan which has taken his record to a staggering 10 tries in 13 league games for Hull.
Bringing the sort of confidence and attitude you'd expect from a 21-year-old, Lineham's boast is one meant in jest from a character who is just that – a character.
Confident he may be, playful in his answers yes, as he banters his way through the interview, but arrogant he isn't.
Still in the very early stages of a burgeoning career, Lineham knows improvements are needed to his game.
And yet, there's no denying the potential of a player who can be as good as anyone to come through the Hull ranks for many years.
"I've got errors in me, but I do some good things."
That's Lineham's honest assessment of himself as the conversation turns to a more serious tone.
"I've had a great start in Super League but I wouldn't say it's easy. I know I have a lot of learning and developing to do, but I'm really enjoying being out there and running the ball in as hard as I can. It's not easy though."
With youth and inexperience comes inconsistency, and Lineham knows that hurdle must be overcome. Against Hull KR in the recent derby he was given a rough ride. The response was ideal, but the consistency of his performances is vital, especially with Jason Crookes breathing down his neck trying to get back in the side.
"I didn't have the best game in the derby and I was grateful to Peter Gentle for having faith in me and letting me make up for it against Wakefield," adds Lineham.
"Jason is a very good player. We call him the cannonball because he steams into people, he can finish tries and he's very good.
"I cannot afford to give Peter a reason to drop me because I know Jason is waiting. I'm trying to learn, keep getting better and keep my place in the team."
Having impressed last season after a call-up during Hull's injury crisis, Lineham can consider himself unlucky not to start the season.
That honour went to Crookes, but when the ex-Bradford man got injured in round three against St Helens, Lineham took his chance.
Initially partnering Ben Crooks, he's played the last seven games alongside Joe Arundel in a partnership that is starting to blossom.
"We have made some mistakes as a partnership and we'll probably make more, but we are growing and learning," says Lineham.
"We are both young, but the effort and enthusiasm is there and we are learning. We are trying to build on it week by week.
"I've done a lot of work on my defence. The more I play I'm learning how each centre defends differently and you have to work as a partnership."
Taking his tally of tries to six for the season with two against the Dragons, Lineham caught the eye again, but it was his strong running of the ball in his own half which stood out more than his two simple finishes.
Simple that is if you're Lineham. Taking a pass from Richard Horne for his second score, the winger chose not to touch down in the corner and instead opted to evade two tackles behind the try-line in an effort to improve the conversion.
"I heard the coaches were not happy, but I was just trying to get my metres up," he jokes.
"I knew if we got the conversion they needed four converted tries to win, so it was awareness from me and I'm not getting the credit for it. I get no credit for my intelligence, I knew exactly what I was doing."
A smile breaking across his face, Lineham's delivery is deadpan until he relents, breaking into laughter.
Clearly enjoying his rugby, life is good at the minute for Hull's latest young rising star.
