It was a case of whatever you can do I can do better when Great Britain coach David Waite named his side for the opening Ashes Test against Australia at Wigan on Saturday night.

Three days after his Kangaroos counterpart Chris Anderson stunned everyone by naming Craig Wing in the centres, Waite pulled his own selection swifty by picking Richard Horne - a fullback, five-eighth or half with his Super League club Hull - on the wing.

Waite also stuck with 33-year-old veteran Mike Forshaw at lock and shifted Sydney Roosters forward Adrian Morley to the front row to accommodate the Bradford back rower, who returned to rugby league in 1997 after a stint in rugby union with Saracens.

"He's technically one of the best forwards in the country with and without the football," Waite said. "He brings with him an attitude and experience."

Horne made his debut with Super League club Hull at the age of 16 and was named Super League's young player of the year in 2002.

However, he has played little football on the wing.

"He's had a fantastic season and on that form he deserves to be on the starting 13," Waite said.

"He gives us the luxury of movement on the park without losing the intensity."

As expected, Waite named Paul Sculthorpe at five-eighth and Sean Long in the No.7 jersey, although Bradford half Paul Deacon won a place on the bench.

Waite, in the main, stuck with the tried-and-true Lions and as a result the British side will take a significant edge in experience into the opening Test.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP