Enthusiastic ex-Super League star Anthony Stewart aims to bring exciting attacking rugby to Haven next season.

The newly-appointed assistant coach has plenty of experience under his belt, having won a Super League title and the World Club Challenge during his time with Saints.

And he hopes he can back rugby league’s youngest coach Carl Forster to provide excitement aplenty at the Recreation Ground.

“I was brought up playing in the successful St Helens entertainers side which always played attack, attack, attack. There was never a dull game,” said Stewart.

“We know Rome wasn’t built in a day but we want to bring that to Whitehaven.”

Stewart, an Irish international, coached Forster when he was assistant coach at Rochdale.

And after early meetings with him to discuss their plans for next season, Stewart is ready to get started.

“I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve been speaking with Carl and I’ve spoken to a few of the old boys and people who have been in the area, like Ade Gardner, and they all speak highly of Cumbria and the three clubs there,” he said.

“I knew Carl from St Helens and we worked together at Rochdale. They always say if you’re good enough then you’re old enough and he has been around a lot of clubs and coaches.”

Stewart was encouraged to get on board at Haven after hearing Forster’s plans.

“After speaking to Carl and hearing his ideas I’m looking forward to it.

“You’ve got to start somewhere and the lads responded well to his coaching at the end of last season,” he said.

“I’ll bring support to Carl and a bit of experience and enthusiasm. It’s a really good time to build at Whitehaven.”

But the former winger finds it “baffling” that more hasn’t been done to help rugby league in Cumbria.

He said: “I know that it’s a bit like the land that time forgot up there with the focus on Toronto and teams from France but they should be investing in a rugby league hotbed.

“It’s baffling that the RFL haven’t done more.”