Cumbrian Super League star Kyle Amor has issued some words of advice for new Whitehaven signing John Todd.

Todd, 22, is making the step up from Iggesund Cumberland League side Ellenborough Rangers after being part of a treble-winning season at Grasslot Welfare.

Amor, now at St Helens, made a similar jump from Hensingham to Whitehaven in 2009 and says he has no regrets.

“I was around the same age as John when I went to Whitehaven and I had a fantastic time at the club,” Amor said.

“When I first started there I always thought about training harder than anyone else.

“There’s a lot of sports science involved in the game these days but it doesn’t make you a tougher player.

“It’s my home town club and every time I pulled on that shirt I just wanted to rip in and give it my all.”

Since leaving Whitehaven, Amor has played for Leeds, Wakefield and won the Super League Grand Final with Saints in 2014.

“A prop-forward’s role hasn’t changed over the last 100 years,” Amor added.

“You just need to run hard and often, and I’m certain it won’t change in the next 100 years either.”

Todd scored 14 tries in 18 appearances for Elbra last season and attracted the attention of Haven’s director of rugby, James Robinson.

Haven head coach James Coyle said: “It was Cotter [Robinson] who brought John to the attention of the club.

“He watched him play a few times for Elbra and every time he saw John play he thought there was something special about him.

“There are little snippets about his game which show us that he has the potential to be a good player at this level.

“He will be the biggest player at the club this season and as he works on his fitness in pre-season his body shape will certainly change over the next three months.

“We’re hoping he can be a bit of a secret weapon for us.

“He gets over the line a lot, particularly for a front rower.”

Aware of the step up between amateur and professional rugby, Coyle firmly believes that Todd has what it takes to bridge that gap.

“It’s a massive step up and John will find it tough over the next few months,” Coyle continued. “He will have to adjust to recovering from training because the regime is a big step up.

“We had our first proper session on Tuesday and it was tough on everyone, so he’ll be feeling it.

“But we believe John has what it takes and it’s up to us to find out what he can achieve at this level.”