GIANTS coach Jon Sharp admits the virus sweeping through the Great Britain camp is the worst he has experienced in his 20 years in professional rugby league.

The Lions assistant coach is now back with the squad as they prepare for tomorrow's crunch Gillette Tri-Nations clash against Australia in Wigan (6.15).

But earlier in the week the Huddersfield chief spent two days confined to his bed after becoming one of the many Lions victims of the now infamous Norwalk virus.

Iestyn Harris is the latest to be struck down and has not been included in Great Britain head coach Brian Noble's 19-man squad for tomorrow's clash.

And Sharp admits the national coaching team are keeping their fingers crossed that no more players suffer.

"I've never known anything quite like this," said Sharp, who spent yesterday afternoon at the Galpharm working on Giants business.

"I've now experienced for myself just how bad the virus is, and it's awful.

"After attending the New Zealand review session on Sunday morning I went straight home to bed and stayed there until returning to our training camp on Wednesday.

"It's a virus that really saps your energy, and I can't speak highly enough of the players who have turned out for their country when they've been suffering from it.

"We're all just praying no-one else picks it up."