Peter Hood wants England to show the union World Cup flops how it should be done in the Gillette Four Nations – and help league crack the national audience.

Steve McNamara’s men kick off their campaign against underdogs Wales at Leigh this afternoon.

With Australia to follow in a mouth-watering Wembley double header, the Bulls chairman hopes England can seize the chance for greater exposure.

Hood sees it as the perfect moment for the international sport to state its case after the nightmare for Martin Johnson and his players in New Zealand.

He said: “It’s a tremendous opportunity to showcase our sport and for England RL to perhaps do better than their counterparts in the 15-man code.

“If they can, I’d like to think that might come to the attention of the London-centric media.

“We know our international fixtures are going to get plenty of coverage in the north. It’s London and the so-called establishment where it is harder to get noticed.

“It’s desperately disappointing sometimes to be listening to national radio and you would not even know the Grand Final is on.

“This is an opportunity for us, particularly against the backdrop of England rugby union’s fairly dismal performance. I hope that has been grasped at (rugby league headquarters) Red Hall.”

While McNamara has not picked any of his former Odsal charges, Craig Kopczak and new signing Elliot Kear will be in the Welsh squad hoping to pull off an upset.

Hood said: “It’s nice to have a Bulls representation and we will be watching with great interest.

“It was a bold move to go away from Great Britain and switch to a Four Nations tournament. But it will need time to establish itself, it won’t be an overnight thing.

“We need positive media coverage beyond the M62 corridor.

“It’s come not long behind what was a great Grand Final which fans are still talking about. It’s as good a time as any.

“Let’s make sure we make a big song and dance about it. Let people know it’s on and encourage them to go and see it.”