AMATEUR ace Anthony Howcroft heads off to New Zealand today, hoping to help kick-start a British rugby league revolution on the other side of the world.

Heworth hooker Howcroft is in the Great Britain and Ireland Students squad which embarks on a four-week tour to Australia and New Zealand today.

The 24-man squad, managed by former York Wasps Academy coach Tony Gargan, have undergone a summer of intensive training to ensure they can live with their Antipodean rivals.

And after being part of the England team which ran both countries close last year, Howcroft believes they can achieve a rare rugby league feat - bringing the Ashes back to Britain.

Nottingham Trent University student Howcroft said of last year's meetings: "New Zealand were bigger and stronger than us but our skill level was better and I think if we hadn't had so many hard games in the World Cup just before we'd have beaten them.

"Against Australia we more than lived with them up to half-time but they pulled away in the second half.

"The preparations for this tour have been good. We've trained a lot and been tested and screened a lot over the summer.

"It has been very professional so our fitness levels should be at least as good as theirs.

"A lot of the lads have professional experience so I think we are capable of beating them.

"Nobody's beaten the Australians at any level for a long time, so hopefully that's something we can do to kick-start a chain reaction."

Howcroft is hoping to return to the Heworth ranks on his return to England having missed all of last season due to his studies.

He is spending this year on a work placement in Leeds so is back living in York, but for now he is concentrating on the tour.

It starts in New Zealand with three Test matches against the world champions. They then head to Brisbane to take on Australia for the Student Rugby League Ashes.

Howcroft's preparations have been hampered by a hamstring injury picked up playing for England Students against Wales.

But he returned for the GB squad's final warm-up match against BARLA Lancashire at the weekend and suffered no reaction.

He is now fit and raring to go, after local companies came up with the money to finance his trip.

More than 30 firms bought tickets for a draw with the winner, York-based KB Construction, becoming the sponsors of Howcroft's tour kit.

Lakeside Plumbers and Viking Property Services have also provided separate cash sponsorships.

dianne.hillaby@ycp.co.uk