By Martin Morgan

Last updated 11:44, Wednesday, 25 June 2008

CUMBRIA’S ARL side expect a stiff physical test when they open their Australian tour tonight against Penrith A-Grade side Minchinbury.

Cumbria skipper: Millom’s Graeme Lupton

Joint coach Martin Oglanby, reporting from Down Under, told News & Star Sport: “All reports suggest that they are a good footballing team with a scattering of Pacific Islanders, so we expect them to be a physical team.

“This should test our team of mainly under-19 players, captained by Millom’s Graeme Lupton.

“The squad are gelling quickly due to the nature of our accommodation, bunkered up in our dorms and everyone mucking in.

“It has set up a real camaraderie between lads from all over the county and the squad are really sticking together.

“Jet lag seems to have worked its way out of our legs and we’ve had three sessions of real quality, including one training next to the Panthers first-team.

“We also had one of lads, Barrow Island’s Sam Jones, train with the Panthers because they were a man down for a drill.

“The lads are looking really sharp and I’m sure that they will take that into tonight’s team and we’ll be able to show the Aussies what we’re all about.

“And, with all going well, get the tour off to a good start.”

The county squad are guests of NRL outfit Penrith Panthers.

Cumbria: Rhys Davies, Bobby Scott, Elliot Miller, Marc Haycock, Ryan Burns, John Fidler, Andrew Cairns, Dane Kelly, Graeme Lupton, Jonny Goulding, Matty Labourne, Phil Coyles, Ryan Moore. Subs: Jon Dawes, Sam Jones, Phil Hewitt, Rich Huby, Dean Morgan, Tom Sibley, Danny Rooney.

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