Young Lions (From Warrington Guardian)

Young Lions

THE BARLA Great Britain Young Lions, which includes Stuart Martin from Widnes St Maries, will face the Australian schoolboys in a two-match test series this August.

The young Lions set off to Australia on August 5 and face a tough six-match schedule before they depart for home on August 31.

They last clashed with the schoolboys in late 2002 and were on the wrong end of a 3-0 series whitewash.

The challenge presented by the schoolboys is immense, highlighted by the fact that many former Australian schoolboys have gone on to achieve full international honours, including players of the stature of Brad Fittler and Bradley Clyde.

Incredibly, Braith Anasta, Mark Gasnier and Jamie Lyon who all toured England with the Australian Schoolboys in 1999, returned to these shores in 2001 for the Ashes series between Australia and Great Britain, with centre Brent Tate making that year's test team against New Zealand.