Harlequins chief executive Mark Evans has written a 1200-word address to the club's supporters defending his decision to form a ground- breaking partnership with London Broncos rugby league club.

Many union supporters are concerned that Harlequins' long traditions will be diluted by their association with the Broncos.

And there are still some union fans who do not believe the impasse between the two codes can ever be bridged and want nothing to do with rugby league.

But Evans insist Harlequins must not be " hamstrung by the past" and that the partnership makes sound financial and commercial sense for both parties.

"Some NEC Harlequins fans will express concerns over the licensing of the Harlequins brand to another sport. In their eyes Harlequins is, and should only ever be, associated with rugby union. This is a perfectly reasonable point of view but not one that I, nor the board of the club, share.

"Of course, there is a risk of reputational damage if the dual-code concept does not capture the imagination of enough people in south-west London.

"However, the possible upsides are exciting. I feel there is a good . . . chance that professional rugby league in London will become a viable proposition. If it does, then Harlequins will benefit significantly."

Evans also sought to clear up confusion among supporters that is evident on the internet message boards by making clear the rugby union club will not be subsidising the league side.

"Harlequins have agreed to invest their ground, brand, logo and colours for a fixed period of time and not to saddle the rugby league operation with crippling high rents," he wrote. "What will not happen is that one side will subsidise the other financially."

The Broncos supporters, whose club will have moved nine times when they return to the Twickenham Stoop for the 2006 engage Super League season, are not wild about the partnership either.

One wrote: "Instead of being a rugby league team, they'll be an offshoot of a rugby union team. They'll also be the laughing stock of rugby league."