No GB panic for Bennett

Great Britain head coach Wayne Bennett says there will be no panic in the ranks despite defeat to a Tonga Invitational XIII. The Lions were making their first appearance as a side since 2007, having separated to allow England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland to play as individual nations, and it was not a happy outcome after coming back together. They were beaten 14-6 by the Tongans in Hamilton, while prop Luke Thompson went off with a rib injury and centre Oliver Gildart dislocated his shoulder during the contest. Bennett admits the duo are now out of action for some time but is refusing to be too downbeat. “I don’t think they will play again in this series,” he told the BBC. “I am happy with the squad right now. We can cover – it is not panic time for us.” Joe Philbin or Jack Hughes could come in for Thompson, while Jake Connor may replace Gildart. “There was good and bad. I thought we went back to where we were a couple of years ago because there were too many errors and not enough patience shown,” added the coach. “Tonga are a quality team and all the players are top guys in their positions.”