Image source, Getty Images

So, Great Britain's return to the international stage after 12 years away ends in defeat by a Tonga Invitational XIII in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Have a read of the report

We are back with rugby league next weekend with the Lions hoping to do much better against the Kiwis.

Until then.

Great Britain play the first of two Tests against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday, 2 November (04:00 GMT kick-off).

Every game of the tour will be shown live on BBC Two and on the BBC Sport website and app, where you can also find live text commentary of each match.

Great Britain tour dates and coverage schedule

Denis Betts
Former Great Britain international on BBC Two

It is the start of the tour, the have not been together too long and had a lot of travelling to do. You have to use the momentum.

I remember going on tour in 1990 with Jonathan Davies, we lost the first game against Papua New Guinea but that went on to be a very successful tour for a lot of people.

Hopefully they will build on that.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

A brilliant result for Tonga, an absolutely brutal game for Great Britain. A great way to start the tour, but not from the Lions' point of view.

Jonathan Davies
Former Great Britain international on BBC Two

They've got to find a cutting edge on the outside backs because they didn't look like scoring. They fought their way back in, but there was no cutting edge and no creativity and they've got to sort that out.

All over, what a result.

Tonga beat the returning GB Lions, who saw that coming??

Alex Walmsley down the centre, held up.

Josh Hodgson looks up, kicks it through and again it is a nasty one for the Lions.

Jonny Lomax looking to go himself when two players were free down the left.

Poor decision-making that.

60 seconds remaining.

Another Lions attack thwarted, Zak Hardaker's pass cut out.

Kick into the corner by Jackson Hastings...and the Lions claim a late scrum after David Fusitu'a drops it on the leap.

Ryan Hall looking to break with a trundle through the middle of the pitch, loses it and with that the game is lost for the Lions.

Jonny Lomax looking to bring the ball upfield but is dragged the wrong way by four Tonga defenders.

Five minutes remaining, Tonga closing in on a huge victory.

Jonny Lomax with a short pass outside to Ryan Hall, but David Fusitu'a reads it and barges for the former Leeds Rhinos man into touch.

Time running out for the Lions, they need two scores.

The Lions hold out on a Tonga attack, but will have to go the full length of the pitch to grab another score back.

Image source, Getty Images

Tackles: 294-344

Line breaks: 4-1

Offloads: 14-7

And suddenly it is coming together for the Lions.

Jackson Hastings launches a bomb high into the Hamilton sky, but superb work from winger Daniel Tupou, running inside to collect and gaining a penalty too.

Another quick-fire try will do very nicely for the Lions.

Can they?

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC Two

That's John Bateman all over. "Stop me if you can."