By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:05, Friday, 20 June 2008

Trailblazing Cumbria ARL stars jet out to Australia tonight for a landmark tour as guests of NRL outfit Penrith Panthers.

The county squad, which includes players from Broughton Reds Rose, Cockermouth, Egremont, Maryport, Wath Brow, Great Clifton, Hensingham, Glasson, Salterbeck and Ellenborough, will be based in Penrith, at the foot of the Blue Mountains, 45 minutes from Sydney.

And a highlight of the tour will be a coaching session with Penrith players and coach Matthew Elliott, the ex-Bradford Bulls boss.

“For Martin Oglanby, Jonty Gorley and myself, who are in to coaching, it will be a good experience, and it should also bring the players on,” said tour spokesman Chris Fisher.

“They have players such as Luke Priddis, Trent Waterhouse and Rhys Wesser, so it will be top class.”

Penrith have also secured tickets for the squad to attend the State of Origin decider between New South Wales and Queensland, one of Australia’s premier sporting events.

Cumbria will play four matches Down Under, the first next Wednesday against Minchibury, of the Penrith League.

Fisher added: “It’s the first time we’ve done a tour like this, and we are trying to raise the county team’s profile.

“It’s all about forging links in Australia and we hope to create a good impression. We are playing club teams, but we expect them to be as strong as county sides.”

SDS Construction is the main kit sponsor, with Outback (Cockermouth), Workington Town, Haven, Cumbria ARL, B&H Motors and Barrow and District ARL also backing the trip.

Cumbria: Paul Osborne, Philip Hewitt, Ryan Moore (all Broughton Red Rose); Mark Haycock, Jonathon Goulding, Ryan Burns (all Cockermouth); Mark Foster, Daniel Rooney, Jonathon Dawes (all Maryport); Liam Martin, Richard Huby, Philip Coyles (all Wath Brow);

Richard Farrar, Rhys Davies (both Egremont); Kyle Lofthouse, Eddie Robinson (both Ellenborough); Matthew Labourne, Kyle Amor (both Hensingham); Robert Scott (Salterbeck) John Fidler (Glasson); Brian Park (Great Clifton).

Also included are 10 players from Millom and Barrow.