GB coaches trim tour squad

Great Britain have released four players from their squad ahead of their opening Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday.

Warrington duo Lee Briers and Ben Westwood, Salford's David Hodgson and Wigan's Mickey Higham will return home.

They were part of a stand-by squad which helped Britain beat a Newcastle team in a warm-up match on Friday.

"Following our warm-up game, the staff have now finalised their plans for the series," said team manager Abi Ekoku.

"We would like thank the players returning home for their contributions to the squad and the professionalism they have shown during their time with the group," added Ekoku.

Briers, who won his solitary Great Britain cap against France in 2001, will now be free to captain Wales in their World Cup qualifier against Scotland in Bridgend next Sunday.

Westwood, Hodgson and Higham may be made available for England's games against Tonga and Samoa in the Federation Shield.

Great Britain players remaining for Tri-Nations matches:
Martin Aspinwall (Huddersfield Giants)
Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos)
Brian Carney (Newcastle Knights)
Garreth Carvell (Hull FC),
Andy Coley (Salford City Reds)
Gareth Ellis (Leeds Rhinos)
Stuart Fielden (Wigan Warriors)
Lee Gilmour (St Helens)
Martin Gleeson (Warrington Wolves)
Gareth Hock (Wigan Warriors)
Richard Horne (Hull FC),
Sean Long (St Helens)
Danny McGuire (Leeds Rhinos)
Adrian Morley (Sydney Roosters)
Terry Newton (Bradford Bulls)
Sean O'Loughlin (Wigan Warriors)
Danny Peacock (Leeds Rhinos, capt)
Leon Pryce (St Helens)
Gareth Raynor (Hull FC)
James Roby (St Helens)
Keith Senior (Leeds Rhinos)
Paul Wellens (St Helens)
Jon Wilkin (St Helens)
Paul Wood (Warringtom Wolves)
Kirk Yeaman (Hull FC)

Stand by: Stuart Reardon (Warrington Wolves)

Source: bbc.co.uk