Great Britain Lions: Jackson Hastings & Zak Hardaker in 24-man squad

We and our partners use cookies to give you the best online experience, such as to personalise content and advertising. Information about the ads shown to you and your interaction with this site may be shared with businesses.
Please let us know whether you agree.
Super League Man of Steel Jackson Hastings has been appointed to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in the Great Britain Lions squad for the tour.
The Australian helped Salford achieve this seasons Grand Final and qualifies via a grandparent for Great Britain.
Wigan full-back Zak Hardaker has also been included.
The Lions, touring for the first time because 2006, will perform with four matches.
They confront Tonga at New Zealand on 26 October, prior to two matches against New Zealand and a final fixture.
Wonderful Britain, who performed their first game against the Kiwis in 1908, have not played overseas since touring Australia and New Zealand in 2006.
Together with the 3 home nations competing individually from the 2008 World Cup, the Lions were disbanded following a 3-0 home series win over New Zealand in 2007.
Full GB Lions group: James Graham (St George Illawarra Dragons) Blake Austin (Warrington Wolves) John Bateman (Canberra Raiders) Tom Burgess (South Sydney) Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves) Jake Connor (Hull FC) Lachlan Coote (St Helens) Oliver Gildart (Wigan Warriors) Zak Hardaker (Wigan Warriors) Jackson Hastings (Salford Red Devils) Ryan Hall (Sydney Roosters) Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves) Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders) Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves) Josh Jones (Salford Red Devils) Jonny Lomax (St Helens) Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants) Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves) Luke Thompson (St Helens) Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers) Alex Walmsley (St Helens) Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders) Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons) George Williams (Wigan Warriors).
Warrington will be the most represented team, using Blake Austin, Daryl Clark, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes and Joe Philbin all chosen, whereas Grand Final winners St Helens have four players, Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax, Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley, in the group.
Despite never having been capped by England at senior 22, the Jake Trueman of Castleford and salfords Josh Jones are included.
34, skipper Graham, could acquire his 50th Test limit on the tour. The former Saints prop, that made five appearances for the Lions and is the survive from this group, has since won 44 caps for England.
Hastings selection in the squad caps off a remarkable 18 months because he had been released by NRL side Manly Sea Eagles following a collection of off-field problems.
The half-back was signed by salford at July 2018 on a deal and he helped them to keep their Super League status.
He starred for the Red Devils in 2019 since they reached a first-ever Grand Final, which they dropped to St Helens after signing a one-year extension in October, along with his performances watched him win the Man of Steel award.
The Rugby Football League confirmed earlier this month that he was qualified to play Great Britain and hes one of three most Australia-born players from the squad, together with Coote and Austin.
Saturdays defeat by Saints has been Hastings final game for Salford since he will combine Wigan for the 2020 season.
Hastings Salford team-mate Jones was not expecting to be involved in the tour at the beginning of this 2019 year old.
The Hull FC-bound back-rower disclosed last week that if he had been called to the squad he would have to offset his honeymoon and got married on Sunday.
Contrary to Jones, Wigan full-back Hardaker has been capped at senior level from England because he served as a 14-month ban for testing positive for cocaine when enjoying Castleford 42, before but that is his first engagement on an international level.
On the other hand, the 2015 Man of Steel enjoyed a stellar campaign with the Warriors, scoring 11 tries in 27 Super League looks.
26 October: Tonga v GB RL Lions (on atmosphere 07:30 on BBC Two, highlights on BBC One 13:15-14:30)
2 November: New Zealand v GB RL Lions (on atmosphere 03:30 on BBC One, highlights on BBC One 13:15-14:30)
9 November: New Zealand v GB RL Lions (on air 06:30 on BBC Two, highlights on BBC One 13:15-14:30)
16 November: PNG v GB RL Lions (on air 07:00 on BBC Two, highlights TBC)
The Americas using Simon Reeve
Analysis and comment by the rugby league correspondent of the BBC.
Get headlines and scores sent right to your phone, sign-up to our newsletter and find out where to find us on internet.
Analysis enjoy the discussion and interviews with BBC 5 live and World Service plus our opinion listings.
How to get into team – a physically demanding game with stoppages and a great deal of pace.