Warrington back rower Jack Hughes has been named at centre in place of the injured Ryan Hall for Great Britain’s Test against New Zealand, with Zak Hardaker shifting to the wing.
Hall suffered a subluxation to his left patella against the Kiwis last week and has returned to Sydney to start his recovery.
Wigan centre Oliver Gildart will also return home to Wigan in the coming days, after failing to recover from a dislocated shoulder suffered against Tonga Invitational XIII.
“It’s always about team first,” Hughes told the RFL website. “Obviously, a couple of injuries have tested the depth of the squad and Wayne’s asked me to jump in at centre and do a job and do it justice.
“It doesn’t phase me. Back in my Wigan days I played there. You’re under a bit more stress and a bit more pressure in terms of decision making, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
Luke Thompson has been included in the Lions’ squad.
On a positive note, Luke Thompson returns to the squad after being named as part of an extended bench.
The prop returned to training this week after picking up a rib injury in the same game, but will now compete for a spot in the starting 17.
Great Britain squad for New Zealand Test: 1 Jonny Lomax, 2 Jermaine McGillvary, 3 Jack Hughes, 4 Jake Connor, 5 Zak Hardaker, 6 Gareth Widdop, 7 Jackson Hastings, 8 Chris Hill, 9 Josh Hodgson, 10 Tom Burgess, 11 John Bateman, 12 Elliott Whitehead, 13 James Graham (c), 14 Josh Jones, 15 Joe Philbin, 16 Daryl Clark, 17 Alex Walmsley, 18 Blake Austin, 19 George Williams, 20 Luke Thompson, 21 Lachlan Coote.
