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Rugby League

Peacock named as Lions skipper

22/10/2007

Leeds Rhinos' Jamie Peacock has been appointed Great Britain captain for the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.

The second-row forward, who skippered the side through the Tri-Nations tournaments of 2005 and 2006, regains the armband after Adrian Morley took over to lead the team into a mid-season Test against France while Peacock was sidelined by injury.

Peacock is himself something of a stand-in after inheriting the job from injury-plagued St Helens star Paul Sculthorpe.

Sculthorpe is hoping to make a return from his latest setback - an Achilles tear - in time for the start of next season.

"Jamie has done a terrific job in the absence of Paul Sculthorpe. Once we came through fit from the grand final series, he was a fairly obvious choice," said coach Tony Smith.

Smith has been buoyed by the news that Morley will be available for the series-opener in Huddersfield on Saturday after he escaped censure for an alleged high tackle while playing for the Northern Union against the All Golds last weekend.

Smith's former Leeds charge Danny McGuire will not appear however after X-rays on his injured hand revealed a fracture.

"He won't be able to play this weekend but there is no displacement and we think he will be available for the last two games," Smith confirmed.