Jamie Langley, who is winning his battle to be fit for the play-off engagement with Warrington, today revealed he was in Brian Noble's Great Britain plans until injury ruined his dream.

Frustratingly, the uncapped back-rower knows he WOULD have made the Tri-Nations trip Down Under but the imminent need for surgery saw his chances scuppered.

Player of the year Langley will undergo a hernia operation once the Bulls have finished the campaign but is currently receiving intensive treatment to patch up a related injury in time for Saturday night.

He has missed the last three games but is confident of being right for the eliminator, a bonus that will help ease the pain of missing out on the Lions.

"I got a phone call on Sunday morning and spoke to Brian (Noble)," he explained.

"He said I would have been in his 25 but he'd consulted the GB doctor - who is also our club doc - and with me requiring surgery at the end of the year, I took myself out of selection.

"I'd spoken to Steve (McNamara) a few weeks ago about it all and we decided this was probably the best decision."

Langley, 22, remains remarkably upbeat and pragmatic, insisting he has already dealt with the disappointment.

"I probably wouldn't have done myself justice going at 60 or 70 per cent but now I will have surgery and come back firing on all cylinders," he said.

"It's unfortunate but I'm not the first it's happened to and won't be the last. The big one to look forward to now is going there for the World Cup in 2008."

Troubled by a series of niggles, Langley has played through the pain barrier for much of the season and has delivered outstanding performances for the Bulls, which saw him on the verge of GB recognition in June.

He had the opportunity to play against New Zealand but pulled out in order to get fit for his club and has now made another massive sacrifice.

However, the workaholic loose forward believes he may be stronger than ever after his recent lay-off as the intensive rehab is having a marked effect.

"I can feel it working and I reckon I could be in better condition than I have been all season," explained Langley.

"I'd been struggling for explosive power but the core work is paying off now. I haven't felt this good for ages and hopefully I'll return a lot stronger."

It is nearly four years ago since Langley famously skippered England Academy to an historic series victory over Australian Schoolboys.

Coincidentally, in the back row with him then were Gareth Hock and Jon Wilkin, both of whom are now lined up to elevate to their full GB debuts during the Tri-Nations Series in Australia.

It may now take a little longer for Langley but the talented trio could be reunited for years to come, maybe starting in that World Cup competition.