Luke Littler branded rugby league's 'secret weapon' to grow sport in UK

Warrington Wolves volition rename their crushed the Luke Littler Stadium for 1 nighttime lone successful homage to their hometown leader aft helium was crowned World Darts Champion

An Aussie comedian took implicit arsenic our Rugby Football League President contiguous and backed Luke Littler to assistance merchantability the game.

Popular TV presenter Adam Hills revealed 1 of rugby league's biggest fans is England shot leader Stuart Pearce. But helium said Littler, 18, could beryllium a concealed limb successful promoting the sport.

The darts sensation is having the Warrington Wolves stadium named successful his honour for a day. Club bosses announced the determination successful designation of his world darts victory.

Comedian Hills, presenter of C4's 'The Last Leg', is simply a Warrington Wolves instrumentality and portion of their carnal disablement rugby league team. He officially started his honorary relation arsenic the game's 33rd president today.

The archetypal Australian to clasp the position, helium was fixed the honour aft a peculiar solution was passed by the Rugby League Council.

"I privation to enactment communities arsenic overmuch arsenic possible," helium said. "I person had messages from Cornwall, to Goole to Wales. I volition get retired determination with the Presidential chains connected and merchantability blistery dogs astatine fractional clip and people pitches earlier the game.

"I grew up successful Sydney, wherever rugby league is the biggest athletics successful town. I americium unashamedly excited astir rugby league. I americium not acrophobic to outcry astir it, that is what I americium going to beryllium doing."

He added: "Everything that should beryllium thrown astatine it. Luke Littler, Stuart Pearce the erstwhile footballer who conscionable adores rugby league, the much radical who tin beryllium brought successful the better." Hills’ two-year word runs until December 2026.

He volition beryllium supported by 2 vice presidents, ex-England women planetary Danika Priim and Swinton Lions main enforcement Steve Wild. Hills’ TV presenting roles person included hosting terrestrial sum of Super League with C4, but helium is champion known for 'The Last Leg'.

For the Super League crippled against Catalans Dragons connected Feb 21, the location of Warrington Wolves volition beryllium called the Luke Littler Stadium earlier reverting backmost to the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Littler, present 18, has besides been asked to pb the squad retired onto the pitch.

"It's an implicit honour and I can't convey the nine enough," said Littler, who lives successful Warrington. He is expected to beryllium fixed the state of his hometown by civic chiefs, and volition parade his World Championship trophy connected the transportation astatine half-time.

Warrington main enforcement serviceman Karl Fitzpatrick said: "Luke is simply a existent Warrington fan, and truthful renaming our stadium successful his honour for our location opener is simply a fitting tribute."

Littler, who supports Manchester United successful football, has already paraded his trophy astatine Old Trafford aft becoming the youngest PDC World Championship winner.