Former Barrow Island forward Morgan Knowles has been tipped for a place in Great Britain’s squad for their tour of Australasia and Oceania by St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe.

Knowles is enjoying an impressive season with Super League leaders Saints, who moved six points clear after a 36-16 victory against Castleford Tigers at Anfield last Sunday.

It was his 101st appearance for the club, having brought up his century against Salford the previous week, and his coach Justin Holbrook describes the 22-year-old Wales international as “the most underrated player in Super League.”

Sculthorpe, winner of 26 Great Britain caps in his career said: “Morgan is the Wales captain and for me he is the best loose forward in the UK at the moment.

“Going off form and what he has done in a St Helens shirt, not just this year but last season too, Morgan will be involved and will be making a real claim for a starting berth in Wayne’s side. I’ve been really impressed with him.”

After a 12-year hiatus, the Great Britain rugby league team will be making its return under England coach Wayne Bennett during the autumn.

Their tour kicks off with a Test against Tonga in Hamilton on October 26, with two matches against New Zealand following in Auckland and Christchurch and concludes with a trip to Port Moresby to face Papua New Guinea on November 16.