Jubilant rugby league bosses today began putting the finishing touches to an amended Ashes series after Australia bowed to pressure to re-instate the Kangaroo tour.

Australian Rugby League chairman Colin Love announced at a hurriedly-convened press conference at NRL offices in Sydney that the tour is back on after a change of heart by players concerned about terrorist attacks.

The 10-strong ARL board re-opened talks with the players overnight after receiving new security assurances from the British government.

And Brad Fittler will lead the tour squad after undergoing a change of heart. The 29-year-old Sydney Roosters stand-off or loose forward had led the calls for the tour to be cancelled and last week announced his retirement from international rugby.

But Australian Rugby League chief executive Geoff Carr said: "Fittler was relieved to hear of the new circumstances surrounding the tour and he's agreed to come, which is great."

Carr added that the Kangaroos would not be seeking a warm-up match and would be happy to go straight into the first Test at Huddersfield on Sunday, November 11.

Bradford Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku, in welcoming today's news, said: "It was a serious disappointment when the Australians cancelled the tour. There were strong indications at the end of last week that the tour would be back on, but that only the three Test matches would be played and that is what has happened. It is a pity the club matches are off because we were looking forward to playing the Australians at Valley Parade."