Steve McNamara admits he has relished his new role as Great Britain assistant - and taking the back seat for a change.

The Lions tackle France in the Frontline Test against France on Friday night, with Bulls duo Andy Lynch and Jamie Langley both today picked for the Headingley Carnegie clash.

Their club boss has been out on the training field with them during the build-up as Great Britain chief Tony Smith's right-hand man.

For McNamara, the break from Super League has been a welcome relief and he has lapped up the international arena.

He said: "It's been great being back as an assistant for a week. A change is as good as a rest. I've really been enjoying the role I've had - and all the pressure of being a head coach has gone for a week.

"It's been good. The Great Britain lads are a good bunch of players; young, enthusiastic and all looking forward to tomorrow night."

With the Bulls having a week off, McNamara has been able to fully switch his attentions to the Lions but admits they have not gone into great detail during three days of training at their Leeds base.

"When you get international players together you haven't got time to go into detail or rectify individual techniques," he said.

"It's about putting a structure in place and then letting them practice. We've done that and they've proved a very exciting group to be involved with.

"Because most of them are new to the scene, they are all keen, want to play and get the opportunity and that makes it so much easier to coach."

In-form Lynch wins his first cap at prop while Langley also makes his Great Britain debut in the second row after Smith today trimmed his 23-man squad.

"It's thoroughly deserved and I'm really pleased for both of them getting this chance," said McNamara.

Lynch and Langley are two of five players who will be making their GB debuts, with full back Chris Melling and centre Paul Sykes, both from Harlequins, joined by Salford front-rower Andy Coley.

Huddersfield's Stephen Wild, who is surprisingly chosen at centre, Rob Burrow (Leeds), James Roby and Jon Wilkin (both St Helens) will start a Test for the first time, having previously won caps as substitutes.

Britain will be led for the first time by Warrington forward Adrian Morley, the oldest player in the team at 30 as he wins his 33rd cap.

GB team: C Melling (Harlequins); D Hodgson (Salford), S Wild (Huddersfield), P Sykes (Harlequins), A Gardner (St Helens); D McGuire (Leeds), R Burrow (Leeds), A Morley (Warrington, capt), J Roby (St Helens), A Lynch (Bradford), G Ellis (Leeds), A Coley (Salford), J Wilkin (St Helens). Replacements: S O'Loughlin (Wigan), J Graham (St Helens), K Sinfield (Leeds), J Langley (Bradford).

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