Australia-born duo Lachlan Coote and Jackson Hastings are set to start for Great Britain in the tourists’ opening match against Tonga on Saturday. Coote (St Helens) and Hastings (Salford), who both qualify through an English grandparent, are lined up to start at full-back and scrum-half respectively, while Wigan’s Zak Hardaker is set to start at centre. Wigan Warriors’ Zak Hardaker will start at centre in Great Britain’s tour opener (Martin Rickett/PA Images). Former St Helens forward James Graham will join one of rugby league’s most exclusive clubs when he leads out the Lions at the Waikato Stadium. The squad announcement was delayed after the Great Britain squad were evacuated from their Auckland base because of a major a fire at the neighbouring SkyCity Convention Centre.

Source: Express October 22, 2019 11:26 UTC