Lions put Calderwood on standby

The Leeds Rhinos winger Mark Calderwood has been put on for standby for Great Britain's illness-hit Tri-Nations squad.

Calderwood will not be drafted before Saturday's game against Australia at Wigan unless the virus in the British camp reaches epidemic proportions, but is likely to figure next week after his good performances for England in the European Nations Cup.

The call-up marks a remarkable turnaround for Calderwood, who struggled to hold down his place in Leeds' first team for much of last season. He was recalled at the end of the campaign and did an outstanding job against Bradford's powerhouse winger, Lesley Vainikolo, in the Super League Grand Final.

Among Great Britain's sick parade, the most severe doubts are Iestyn Harris, who was sent home this week with flu-type symptoms. That could create an opening for Sean O'Loughlin, who was selected for the game against Australia two weeks ago but was forced to drop out when he became one of the first victims of the virus. Stuart Fielden has also been sent home, but Mickey Higham has returned.

* Stuart Donlan has joined Huddersfield as a permanent signing after a year on loan from Halifax, who have re-signed Ryan MacDonald and Ben Black, and taken on Anthony Blackwood, from Leigh. Relegated Castleford have signed the Welsh international Jordan James from Sheffield Eagles.