Bennett selects two Australians for his first Great Britain squad

Great Britain coach Wayne Bennett has named two Australians in his squad ahead of the Lions tour of the southern hemisphere next month.

St Helens full-back Lachlan Coote and Warrington playmaker Blake Austin, who have shone since arriving from NRL clubs last winter, have been included in a 29-strong group of Super League based players.

The squad will be reduced to 25, and also include Nrl-based players, ahead of Tests against Tonga in Hamilton, New Zealand in Auckland and Christchurch, and then Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

Bennett has not been afraid to look far and wide in search of players who qualify through heritage.

Born and raised in Australia, Coote has spoken of his pride at his Scottish ancestry, having represented Scotland at international level.

The 29-year-old endured a shaky performance during St Helens’ recent Challenge Cup final defeat against Warrington, but has been included ahead of Wigan’s Zak Hardaker.

Austin missed his side’s Wembley success due to ankle ligament damage but will return for their Super League title tilt and will hope to seal his place on next month’s tour.

The 28-year-old qualifies for England and Great Britain through his maternal Middlesex-born grandmother and has been selected ahead of another Australian, Jackson Hastings, of Salford.

“As we’ve said since the return of the Great Britain team was announced, we have considered everyone who is eligible and puts themselves forward,” Bennett said.

“As well as this performance squad of players based in England and France, we’ve got another group of players based in the NRL to consider – and there’s still time for others who are eligible to impress and force their way in.”

Warrington second-rower Joe Philbin has been named in the squad as have Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley and Salford forward Josh Jones. Two players remain from the last Great Britain squad in 2007: Wigan’s Sean O’loughlin and James Roby of St Helens.