Andy Farrell has given an insight into the growing confidence within the Great Britain camp heading into the Ashes rugby league series, describing the current batch of players as the best he's been involved with.

The 28-year-old Farrell has been a fixture in the Lions squad since making his debut as a teenager in 1996 and is expected to overcome a knee injury to front Australia in the opening Test at Wigan on Saturday night.

And judging by his comments, Great Britain will head into the series confident of securing the Ashes for the first time since 1970.

"It's the best squad I have been involved with," Farrell said. "Everybody has been together for three years now as well as the support staff."

Confidence is sky-high thanks to a growing belief under coach David Waite and the injury curse which has robbed Australia of nearly 20 Test-quality players.

Waite is expected to base his game plan on a quality forward pack led by the likes of Roosters second rower Adrian Morley, Farrell, the classy Paul Sculthorpe and Man of Steel Jamie Peacock.

The former St George Illawarra mentor could yet opt to play Sculthorpe, who is expected to overcome a calf injury, at five-eighth.

The front row is expected to be made up of Bradford's Stuart Fielden, Wigan hooker Terry Newton and grizzled veteran Barrie McDermott.

And the Australians are under no illusions about where Great Britain will take them on at Wigan's JJB Stadium.

"I watched a bit of the game against New Zealand A and they're a big side," Trent Waterhouse said.

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