Cap crowns Raynor's return

Gareth Raynor will make his Great Britain debut against Australia tomorrow on his home ground at the KC Stadium. The British coach, Brian Noble, confirmed yesterday that the Hull winger will play on the left flank in the match that will decide whether they reach the Tri-Nations final.

"He's been exemplary throughout the camp," Noble said. "He looks very sharp. He is capable of having a very big game for us." A first cap will mark Raynor's complete rehabilitation after an unhappy stint in rugby union with Leicester.

"I've had to be patient, but it's been frustrating," he said. "I've flogged myself in training and I'm fit and ready."

Raynor is likely to be one of three Hull players in action on home turf, with Richard Horne and Jamie Thackray also included in an 18-man squad named yesterday. Brian Carney has been declared fit to play on the opposite flank from Raynor, despite tweaking his hamstring scoring his second try against New Zealand last Saturday.

Leon Pryce will move from the left wing to full-back, in place of the injured Paul Wellens. Noble said that Horne and Iestyn Harrisare likely to form the half-back partnership.

Australia have dropped their prop, Steven Price, who started the three previous Tri-Nations games, with Jason Ryles coming into the line-up and Trent Waterhouse on the bench. With Trent Barrett and Craig Gower forming an experienced half-back pairing, Craig Wing is likely to win the last substitutes' spot ahead of Scott Prince.

The Wakefield back-rower, David Solomona, is in the unaccustomed position of stand-off in place of the suspended Nigel Vagana for New Zealand against France tonight.

Castleford have made their first new signing from overseas since clinching promotion to Super League by recruiting Penrith's reserve centre, Luke Dyer, on a two-year contract.

Harlequins RL, the successor to the London Broncos, have decided to play their home games at The Stoop on Saturday afternoons next season.

Bobbie Goulding, has resigned as coach of Rochdale Hornets.