The former Raiders recruitment guru, who died after a long battle with cancer in December, played a big role in bringing the young Englishman to the Canberra Raiders.

Not only did he sign the now 20-year-old, but he made sure his room in hotel quarantine was fully stocked with everything he'd need when Rushton first arrived Down Under.

Now the one-game Wigan player will come off the bench against the all-conquering Penrith Panthers at Penrith on Sunday.

Not only did Mulholland work as a recruitment manager for the Panthers, helping them to the 2003 NRL premiership, but Penrith Stadium's just around the corner from where he used to live.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart knows how happy Rushton's selection would have made Mulholland.

"He's another product from Pete and he would be smiling down on the fact he'll see another one of his boys debut," Stuart said.

"And he'll certainly do himself proud. He's a good, tough young kid."

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Rushton hadn't played a Super League game when he signed a three-year deal to join the Green Machine - his debut coming against St Helens later in 2020.

He arrived in Canberra as a second-rower, but he's been plying his trade as a middle in the Raiders' NSW Cup side.

Rushton's averaged 122 run metres per game - although he's amassed 159m and 144m in his past two outings - and scored three tries and set up another two.

Stuart said both Rushton and fellow young gun Trey Mooney have been Canberra's most consistent forwards in the reserves, which was why he thoroughly deserved his spot.

Rushton's a big lad - 190 centimetres tall and 98 kilograms of muscle. But Stuart wants him to get bigger.

"He can play a little bit on the edge, Harry, but I'm asking him to put some more weight on," he said.

"I like him in the middle. He's a typical Englishman - he's very tough - but he's actually got very good skill.

"He's got a really good sleight of hand and passing. He's very much a player of today's game for the middle - he's got that skill and workrate."

Some of that skill involves a kicking game - something that comes naturally for a lot of Canberra's Poms given their background with soccer.

Rushton put in a grubber against the Mounties at Wagga Wagga, which he chased and kicked through again for himself to score.

It brought flashbacks of a famous Brett Mullins try in 1995, when the Raiders great produced a stunning chip-and-chase.

Stuart's given Rushton licence to chance his arm at NRL level.

"I saw that. I'll be very happy to take one," he said.

Rushton's move to Canberra came at a particularly tough time.

Not only did he start with two weeks' hotel quarantine in Sydney, but he was then effectively trapped on the other side of the world from his friends and family. At the ripe old age of 19.

The toll that can have was highlighted by former Raiders halfback George Williams' departure halfway through last season due to homesickness.

Rushton's sacrifice wasn't lost on Canberra acting captain Jack Wighton, who will wear the skipper's armband for the first time when they run out together against the Panthers.

"It's tough for the Pommy boys to move over here and make that transition," Wighton said.

"It's probably even tougher for him with COVID striking and being away from family for such a long time - to hold his head high and keep training, and get through those patches.

"His body's really developed and he's become a great young player. I'm very, very excited to run out there with him."

NRL ROUND SEVEN

Sunday: Penrith Panthers v Canberra Raiders at Panthers Stadium, 4pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton (c), 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Corey Harawira-Naera, 18. Hudson Young, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Harry Rushton, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 19. Matt Frawley, 22. Trey Mooney.

Panthers squad: 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Charlie Staines, 3. Izack Tago, 4. Stephen Crichton, 5. Taylan May, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary (c), 8. Matt Eisenhuth, 9. Apisai Koroisau, 10. James Fisher-Harris, 11. Viliame Kikau, 12. Liam Martin, 13. Isaah Yeo (c). Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny, 15. Scott Sorensen, 16. Spencer Leniu, 17. Jaeman Salmon. Reserves: 18. Robert Jennings, 22. Soni Luke.

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