PAUL Cullen will come up against the player he made his England captain last year when Wolves take on Harlequins on Saturday.

Cullen coached Rob Purdham during his spell in charge of Whitehaven before allowing him to join London Broncos, as the Quins were then known.

Purdham has flourished in his time in the capital and Cullen immediately made the 26-year-old his captain when he took control of the England team at the end of 2006.

"Rob would grace any side in Super League in my opinion and he's one bloke we won't be running at," said Cullen about Saturday's game.

"He hits very hard whether he plays as a centre, half back, loose forward or second rower.

"His game doesn't change that much, he is a very tough and focused individual and he can lead a side. He has grown fantastically in the time he has spent at London.

"He always had the potential at Whitehaven and I was very sorry to sell him on. We had to do so at the time for the club's sake and for Rob's sake.

"He's a player I've got an awful lot of respect for. He embodies the London spirit. He's honest and he'll work very hard over the 80 minutes.

"And if you offer him anything, he'll snatch it off you with both hands."