GB's 'Indomitables' inducted into Hall of Fame

The 1946 Great Britain side which toured Australia and New Zealand has been inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

Nicknamed the 'Indomitables' after the navy aircraft carrier they sailed on, the 26-man squad completed an unbeaten Ashes series against Australia, following an 8-8 draw in Sydney with a 14-5 win in Brisbane and a 20-7 victory back in Sydney.

They remain the only Great Britain rugby league team to go unbeaten in an away Test series against Australia.

Across the five-month trip, which was the first major overseas sporting tour by a British team following the end of World War Two, Welshman Gus Risman's side played 27 matches, winning 21, drawing one, and losing five.

The 1946 side are the second team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, following the 1996 Great Britain Lionesses, who were recognised two years ago for their own trailblazing Ashes series victory in Australia.

RFL chair Nigel Wood said: "The 1946 Great Britian tourists occupy a very special place in rugby league history. At a time when the country was still emerging from the hardships and losses suffered during the war, they carried the hopes of our sport across the world.

"Invited by the Australian Rugby League to reintroduce international sporting events, revive the Ashes and boost the morale of both nations, they went on to produce a performance of courage, resilience and quality which has stood the test of time."