Great Britain prop Stuart Fielden has been dropped for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.

The 28-year-old former Bradford front-rower, who became the game's costliest player when he joined Wigan for a £450,000 fee last year, has been an automatic choice for Britain since making his Test debut in 2001.

He played in all four matches of the Lions' 2006 Tri-Nations campaign, taking his total of caps to 25, but has struggled this season to recapture the form that made him the best forward in the game.

"I had a really good conversation with Stuart and he has been battling with injury, which is all credit to him," said Great Britain coach Tony Smith.

"He'd love to play for his country but he realises his form probably hasn't warranted selection for GB on this occasion."

Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin was the only addition from the Warriors when Smith updated his train-on squad following their elimination from the play-offs.

Second-rower Gareth Hock, another ever-present from last year's Tri-Nations Series, was also ignored due to poor form.

Smith's train-on squad was further depleted on Tuesday when prop Garreth Carvell and scrum-half Richard Horne, two of Hull's five representatives, pulled out through injury.

Carvell has a bulging disc in his neck, while Horne has a foot ligament injury.