Last updated 21:18, Wednesday, 05 November 2008

CUMBRIA’S RL World Cup star Rob Purdham has given his strong backing to a Super League side in the county – and revealed he would love to represent it.

Action man: Rob Purdham, pictured playing for England against Wales, is hoping to be selected to take on the Kiwis this weekend

The 28-year-old ex-Whitehaven ace, who hopes to make his World Cup debut for England against New Zealand on Saturday, reckons a Super League outfit would give the county game a huge short in the arm.

“It would give the young kids of Cumbria something to aim for,” he said. “If rugby league wants to take off in the north west, that’s what has to happen.

“They would get four or five thousand in for Super League games. That’s more than they get in London.

“If Cumbria had a Super League side I’d be up there in a flash. Whitehaven, Workington and Barrow are not really thriving.

“It’s got to happen but probably won’t. I think it could work.”

Settle

The Harlequins skipper advocates retaining local teams in National Leagues One and Two, as feeder clubs for the proposed top-flight outfit.

Purdham is to later this month marry his partner, also from west Cumbria, and the couple plan to return home to settle in the county at some stage.

“In 2009 I’ll be at London, and after that I’m undecided,” said Purdham, who believes Harlequins have a future, despite failing to attract big crowds in the capital.

“For the club to grow, we need to start winning things. Then we’ll get more spectators and people will want to take up the job.

“In Cumbria, there’s a lot of football, rugby league and rugby union. In London, there are a lot more sports, but they are getting there.”

With a new licensing system launched next term, Cumbria’s first chance to make a Super League bid would come in 2011, for inclusion the following season, though fierce competition for a top-flight slot is expected.