Smith rings the changes - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Smith rings the changes

New Great Britain coach Tony Smith has named eight uncapped players in a fresh-looking squad for this month's Frontline Test against France.

Smith had been widely expected to rest a number of senior internationals for the game at Headingley Carnegie in order to look at different players ahead of the three-Test autumn series against New Zealand.

Harlequins duo Chris Melling and Paul Sykes, Huddersfield's Kevin Brown, Andy Lynch of Bradford and Warrington hooker Jon Clarke all feature in a Lions squad for the first time.

There is room for three more uncapped players in Bradford forward Jamie Langley, Salford hooker Malcolm Alker and Huddersfield second row Stephen Wild.

Warrington's former Sydney Roosters forward Adrian Morley, who will captain the side, is the most experienced player in the party with 26 caps.

Smith has included 11 players who travelled Down Under for last year's Tri-Nations Series in Australia and New Zealand but the likes of Paul Wellens, Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden and Keith Senior will sit out the June 22 clash.

The match will be Smith's first in charge since succeeding Brian Noble earlier this year, and he said: "I wanted to have a look at a number of players who have impressed in the engage Super League this year to see how they play with a number of established internationals.

"I am keen to see whether they can transfer their club form onto the international stage. If they can they'll play themselves into contention for this autumn's Gillette Fusion Test series against New Zealand and, who knows, a flight to Australia for next year's World Cup."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking