Bradford Bulls coach Brian Noble is delighted that seven of his players have been named in Great Britain's 34-strong preliminary squad for November's Ashes series.

And, although he is chuffed that Jamie Peacock, Paul Anderson, Stuart Fielden, Paul Deacon, Leon Pryce and Lee Gilmour have been chosen, he is particularly pleased that Lee Radford is a selection.

"It just shows what development Lee has made from the start of this year," said Noble.

"He is improving in the way we had all hoped he would, and I don't see him as a fringe player as some do - he has started in seven of our games and been on the bench in seven others.

"And it is all good experience for him, as was England's international against Wales this week. He also played well for our Alliance team on Thursday of last week.

"The players that have been selected have made the most of their opportunities in things like the Yorkshire v Lancashire match, the England v Wales game, but the squad is not set in concrete and there are chances for those outside the squad over the rest of the regular season and the play-offs."

Noble also had some words of consolation for Bulls prop Brian McDermott, who played for England at Wrexham but is not among the Great Britain 34.

"Looking at the players they have chosen, Brian must be the next in line so again there is a chance for him over the next few months."

Although Welsh Rugby Union target Iestyn Harris sensationally ruled himself out of the Ashes Series yesterday and may have played his final game of rugby league because of his injury problems, another WRU target, St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham, was included in the GB squad, despite being linked with a move to Swansea.

RFL director of rugby Greg McCallum said: "I've been in constant contact with the club and we're confident Keiron will be available."

Harris and Leeds team-mate Chev Walker were the notable absentees from coach David Waite's initial squad for the three-match series against the Kangaroos, which gets under way at Huddersfield on November 3.

Walker, who played in all of England's five matches in the World Cup and was in the side that beat Wales 42-33 in Wrexham, has paid the price for a loss of form. "Chev is an outstanding right-centre prospect, but at the moment he is lacking confidence," said Waite.