Bradford Bulls second-rower Mike Forshaw will learn later today whether he will finally take his Great Britain series bow in Saturday's third and final Test with New Zealand at Watford.

Forshaw was named in the original 23-man squad, but has not figured in either 17 for the opening two Tests, which have seen the Kiwis clinch their first series victory on British soil since 1971.

Odsal pack colleague Harvey Howard is also pushing for a place in coach Andy Goodway's starting line-up after a surprisingly brief substitute outing in the 36-16 defeat at Bolton last Saturday.

Meanwhile Britain have received a boost after stand-off Iestyn Harris reported significant improvement on his groin injury.

The Leeds captain was a major doubt earlier in the week, but was said by the British management to be "moving quite freely" today after the injury responded to treatment. "He seems to be coming round," said team manager Phil Lowe.

There was less encouraging news of centre Paul Newlove, who missed the second Test with a calf injury picked up in training, and second-rower Adrian Morley, who has yet to play in the series because of ankle ligament damage.

Morley is given no more than a 50-50 chance of playing at Vicarage Road, while Newlove is also rated very doubtful.

But centre Gary Connolly (shoulder), scrum half Tony Smith (leg) and winger or centre Keith Senior (ankle) were able to train yesterday and look likely to be available.

There was some joy for Great Britain yesterday as the Academy side beat France Under-21s 28-8 at Perpignan.

Triumphant New Zealand captain Quentin Pongia is warning his players to avoid complacency as they seek to complete a first-ever away series whitewash over Britain.

Coach Frank Endacott, who masterminded the Kiwis' whitewash Down Under in 1996, has resisted the temptation to give all the players in his touring party a run-out, naming the same starting line-up for the fourth successive Test.

His only change is on the bench, where uncapped Illa-warra front-row forward Craig Smith is chosen ahead of Tony Iro.

The inclusion of 26-year-old Smith, who played for the Rest of the World against Australia last year, means the Kiwis will go into the match with four prop forwards.

"It's just the way I think the game might be played," said Endacott.

"He is a strong, tough individual and it will take a bit of the pressure off Quentin Pongia.

"It's also reward for his attitude in training. He's been doing some extra stuff all the tour."

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