Bradford's Paul Deacon is in a head-to-head scrap with Sean Long for the Great Britain half-back jersey.

A fully-fit Paul Sculthorpe would be almost certain to play at six in the first Ashes Test at Wigan on Saturday and with Kevin Sinfield able to cover loose forward and stand off, it is unlikely coach David Waite would find a place on the bench for whoever misses out between Deacon and Long.

"The way I'm thinking is that if I don't make the starting line-up I'm not expecting to be in the 17, but who knows?" said Deacon.

The Bulls' prolific goal-kicking half doesn't believe being the incumbent from last season's drawn series against the Kiwis will help him get the nod.

"To be honest I think that is dead and buried now. That was a full year ago and there has been a lot of rugby played since then," he said.

"Maybe it will go for me, but I'll have to wait and see what David Waite is thinking. He doesn't let anything slip."

Bulls utility back Stuart Reardon has been released from the Great Britain squad and will play in the England A side against Wales in the deciding European Nations Cup Group A match at Headingley on Sunday.

The 22-year-old Reardon, man of the match in the Bulls' Grand Final triumph, remains on stand-by for the Think! Road Safety Series.

"I'll be there and ready but at least I am still playing," said Reardon.