RFL backs Wilkin's £30m funding plea to Burnham

The new head of English rugby league has backed a call for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to approve a £30m five-year community funding plan for the sport.

Former England international Jon Wilkin has appealed directly to Burnham and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, both rugby league fans, to pledge government money to a rugby league-based social impact project.

Ian Nolan, the new chief executive of the Rugby Football League, has supported Wilkin's plea, issued on BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby League show on Monday.

Wilkin wants Burnham and Nandy to follow the lead of Australia's government, which in July announced it was committing A$250m (£130m), external over 10 years to the Pacific Rugby League Partnership.