TOP OF THE PROPS

Thompson hailed as ‘world’s best’ by fellow front-rower Walmsley who wants the pair to continue Saints’ Grand form in GB colours

Saints to a seventh Super League title.

Walmsley also played a huge part in the win, particularly in the dominant opening quarter, and the pair are expected to be named together in today’s

Lions squad to tour

New Zealand and

Papua New

Guinea.

Walmsley said:

“He’s the best front rower in the world for me and he’s been a delight to play alongside.

“I saw him step up last year and do what he did and we all knew that was in his locker. To do 70 minutes straight in a Grand Final, tell me another front rower in the game that can do that?

“It’s the toughest position to play, so for him to do that and to such a high standard and not let it drop for a minute – what a player. I hope we play together for Great Britain. I’m sure Thommo (below left, with coach Justin Holbrook and skipper James Roby, and lifting the trophy) will be in, hopefully I can sneak in alongside him.

“But we’ll enjoy these few days first, it’s been five years in the making.”

Walmsley was part of the last St Helens side to win a Grand Final in 2014, just two years after rocketing from obscurity via Championship Batley. He said: “At 21, 22 I was playing on Saturdays in front of 200 people for Dewsbury Celtic, places that looked like a farmer’s field.

“Then 2014 was a shock because I was only 18 – 24 months from being an amateur and I don’t think I’d earned my stripes then.

“This is my seventh year at Saints now and it’s the pinnacle of my career so far.”

Walmsley created the game’s opening try for Morgan Knowles and Justin Holbrook’s side look set to cruise home when Zeb Taia touched down.

But Salford, whose remarkable progression to the Grand Final has provided Super League with one of its great storylines, hit back through Jake Bibby, and it needed a Mark Percival try to seal St Helens’ victory.

Holbrook heads to Gold Coast Titans and Walmsley added: “He’s a remarkable person and coach and we’ll miss him sorely. He’s improved us all as players and made us better people.”