By Martin Morgan

Last updated 11:50, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

WEST CUMBRIA’S World Cup ace Rob Purdham will line up against Wales on Friday in England’s only warm-up game ahead of boarding a plane for Australia on Monday.

Ozsome: Rob Purdham is heading Down Under

The ex-Whitehaven star was named yesterday in the 24-strong England squad for the tournament, and described the moment, in training on Monday, when told by coach Tony Smith that he had made the final cut.

“I didn’t really expect it, but I hoped I would be in,” said the 28-year-old Harlequins skipper. “It was a really good feeling. I was chuffed.

“It’s an honour to be picked, and it just shows that Harlequins are improving, and people are actually looking at them.”

Purdham has been working over recent weeks with Smith’s train-on squad and revealed that team spirit was building ahead of the trip Down Under

“We knock hell out of each other when we’ve played this year, but when we’ve been all together it’s felt like one big club,” he added.

“Everyone’s looking out for each other, and there’s a good bit of banter.”

He is one of eight back-rowers in a squad that includes only four specialist props, but the versatile Purdham, who was a stand-off during his years at Haven, and is also comfortable at centre, does not see that as a problem.

“A lot of these players can play in different positions,” he added. “There’s a bit of speed in our back-row, which will be good for the team.”

Purdham is one of only four players in the squad not to have played a full international, though he has represented England at second-tier level, captaining his country to a Federation Shield triumph two years ago.

“Speed is a massive thing against any team that we play in Australia,” coach Smith said. “It has played a part in the selection process.

“I think we have a fast team, with some electric players, both in the forwards and the backs. Speed and mobility are two of the things that can trouble any team.

“When you’ve only got 24 players, there needs to be a certain amount of versatility and I think we’ve got that.

“If you take five front-rowers, that’s over a fifth of your squad so that would be a gamble too.

“There are some players who play in the back-row that I wouldn’t hesitate in pushing forward to the front-row. There’s a gamble whichever way you go.”