Long rules out touring again

St Helens scrum-half Sean Long has ruled out touring with Great Britain again and may turn his back on international rugby altogether.

Britain?s Gillette Tri-Nations series hopes suffered a blow on Monday when Long, 30, flew home and he has revealed that he "just couldn?t carry on".

Long has played in all of Britain?s three Tests so far and was man-of-the-match when Brian Noble?s men beat Australia in their second match.

But he was not at his best as Britain lost to New Zealand last week, their third Test in three weeks, and insists he has "no regrets" about his decision to return home.

Long told BBC Radio Five Live: "I definitely won't tour again. It's really hard to play that many games on the bounce.

"I'm not ruling out (playing for GB again) yet. I want to do my best at St Helens and I'll decide on that later down the line. Only time will tell."

Britain play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday and must avoid defeat to ensure they reach the Gillette Tri-Nations final without Long, who believes he made the right choice.

"I stick by my decision - I'm glad to be home," he said. "I want Great Britain to win this competition and that's one of the reasons I left."

The St Helens star explained that a combination of factors had contributed to his decision to leave the tour.

"(There were) quite a number of things to be honest. I was missing my family back home. I was mentally and physically fatigued - it's been a long season for me at St Helens and I just felt like I was mentally and physically gone.

"It just came to a head when I just couldn't carry on any more. I just couldn't get myself up for the next game.

"I didn't just decide on the spur of the moment - I'd been thinking about it for about 10 days before I made the decision.

"After the Kiwi game (which GB lost 34-4 last Saturday) I'd just gone and couldn't get myself up for the next game. If I can't give 100 per cent I just can't do it."

"I'd just had enough and was ready for home. My missus is due and it was just time for me to leave.

"I can't put my hand on one thing. I just want to have a bit of time from rugby and get myself right for a big season with St Helens."

Long believes the Lions can still beat Australia on Saturday, even though he will be absent.

He said: "I've been with the boys and they're a cracking bunch of lads. They've got every chance of doing it.

"It is going to be tough but I'm sure the lads can lift for one more game."

Source: superleague.co.uk