Clever Gregory

Andy Gregory has named a strong Great Britain squad for the 12- nation World Nines in Australia, aided by a loophole that allows Steve Holgate to continue to be regarded as a Workington Town player.

Wigan announced the signing of the 24-year-old second row last week, but the Rugby League is withholding his registration until Wigan pay Salford the pounds 10,000 they still owe them for the transfer of Terry O'Connor.

If Holgate was already registered with Wigan, Gregory would be unable to select him, as there is a limit of one player from each club and Wigan's Andy Farrell will captain the side.

The squad, who go to Townsville, north Queensland, on 31 January for the three day tournament, include nine other players who featured in Britain's recent tour of Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand.

GREAT BRITAIN SQUAD: A Farrell (Wigan, capt), S Spruce (Bradford), S Naylor (Salford), M Crompton (Oldham), J Bentley (Halifax), A Smith (Castleford), K Senior (Sheffield), B J Mather (Western Reds), D Betts (Auckland Warriors), K Cunningham (St Helens), P Sculthorpe (Warrington), A Morley (Leeds), S Holgate (Workington), T Tollett (London).