FORMER Leigh MP and mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has called on the country's media to take note of England's appearance in the Rugby League World Cup final this Saturday.

England reached their first final since 1995 after beating Tonga 20-18 following a nailbiting finish in the semi-final at a packed out Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland.

With rugby league often overlooked in some quarters of the national media, Mr Burnham has led the rallying call for the historic occasion in Brisbane this Saturday to be given deserved exposure.

Mr Burnham took to Twitter to say: "I live in hope that, at some point this week, our media will inform the nation about this".

England face holders Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane in Saturday's final to compete for the world crown.

England have not won a World Cup for 45 years, when in 1972 (as Great Britain) they picked up the trophy in France.