Noble Forced Into Changes

Noble has been forced into his action because of two injuries – Brian Carney finally succumbing to his ham-string injury and pulling out, and Sean O’Loughlin suffering what is believed to be a leg muscle strain.

This means that Danny McGuire returns to the side at stand-off partnering Sean Long, while Leon Pryce is forced back onto the wing position he occupied the last time the two sides met.

In addition, Adrian Morley returns to the starting line-up in the second row, while Gareth Carvell is moved to the substitutes’ bench.

Hull winger Gareth Raynor will remain in the side after scoring a crucial try last week while Stuart Fielden is fit to play despite having his nose broken in the altercation with Willie Mason.

New Zealand have made six changes to their starting line-up – Shontayne Hape replaces Tame Tupou on the wing while the return of Steve Matai at centre sees Nigel Vagana move to stand-off and Jerome Ropati dropped.

In the forwards Dene Halatau replaces Nathan Fien at hooker, while David Fa’alogo makes his first test start at loose forward with Frank Pritchard dropped to the bench.

A win for Great Britain will see the Lions reach the Tri-Nations final to face Australia, while a loss would leave New Zealand with a hope of defending the title they won so spectacularly last year.