Andy Farrell praised the combination of youth and experience as the Under-23s outplayed Bolton to enhance their play-off hopes.
With a change in personnel within the squad – following a mass exodus of players on loan since the turn of the year – a top-two finish in the Professional Development League’s northern selection may be a tough ask and is not the priority.
But a 2-0 win at Leyland took the Clarets back up above Leeds into second spot.
The victory was achieved with the youngest line-up of the season so far, with seven scholars starting the game and three more coming off the bench.