Rugby League: Connolly ends as he began

Gary Connolly will end his league career where he started, at fullback, when he fills one of Great Britain's problem positions in the first test against the Kiwis at Blackburn on Sunday morning.

Connolly has been drafted into the role left vacant by ill-timed injuries to Kris Radlinski and Paul Wellens.

"I started off there and I'm going to finish there," said the 31-year-old, who has featured almost exclusively in the centres for his country.

Connolly has already ended his club career with Wigan and will link up with their rugby union subsidiaries at Orrell after the finish of the three-test series.

"I never thought I would go out like this, playing fullback in a test series, but I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

"I played there about six times for Wigan this season when Kris was injured, so I'm still quite used to it."

The Great Britain assistant coach, Brian Noble, is confident that Connolly will adapt to his old position without too many difficulties.

"It's great when you lose players like Paul and Kris and have someone of international calibre to bring in," Noble said.

Another talking point in the team is the selection of Bradford's Mike Forshaw at loose forward, with captain Andy Farrell moving from his regular role into the second row.

"It doesn't bother me one bit," Farrell said. "I started off as a second-rower. I never particularly set out to be a loose forward, it was just something that happened."

The only question left open in coach David Waite's selection is which four of five possible substitutes will be called upon at Ewood Park. The one player in line for his test debut is the Castleford stand-off, Danny Orr.

"I'm keeping my fingers crossed," he said. "I've been waiting for a lot of years."

- INDEPENDENT