Billionaire Donald Trump continued to lead the Republican 2016 field in a Fox News national poll published Wednesday, but rival Ted Cruz had made significant gains.

RHONA WISE/AFP/Getty Images

41 percent of the 388 Republican primary voters surveyed from March 20-22 selected Trump as their choice for the GOP nomination.

Cruz came in second, earning 38 percent of support — double the support the Texas senator received in a Fox News poll conducted in mid-February.

#BREAKING @Foxnews #2016 national GOP primary poll
Trump 41%
Cruz 38%
Kasich 17%https://t.co/Ndv9KNdAjI

— Fox News Poll (@foxnewspoll) March 23, 2016

The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus five points, leaving Cruz at a statistical tie with Trump.

John Kasich placed last with 17 percent, a rise of 9 points since the last Fox News poll was taken.

—

Follow the author of this story on Twitter and Facebook:

Follow @oliverdarcy