GREAT Britain will go into tonight's must-win battle with Australia as clear underdogs but with a distinct advantage in terms of Test-match experience.
Both teams have an average age of 27 but the return of Iestyn Harris and the restoration of Adrian Morley to the number 10 jersey means Britain are able to boast a starting line-up with a total of 162 caps, compared to 118 in the Kangaroos team.
And, in switching Kevin Sinfield to his more natural role at the base of the scrum and throwing Morley into the front row from the start, Britain have a more balanced team than the one which stuttered into action against New Zealand at Loftus Road last Saturday.
It still might not be enough to keep Britain's hopes alive in the Gillette Tri-Nations Series after their opening 42-26 defeat but Noble has gone for the men in form, with champions Bradford providing seven of the 13 players in the starting team.
"We have put ourselves behind the eight ball," admitted Noble. "I can only reinforce that the practices have been good this week. The intensity has been very good. You don't win games like these on emotion. It has to be on performance and that is what we have focused on.
"Australia have got some good players. They have got some people trying to prove a point. They are not world champions for nothing.
"Who would not want Cooper and Gasnier as the centres in their domestic team? Matt King on the wing. Wow, watch out."
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