Luke Thompson is the best prop in the world, says Justin Holbrook

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook reckons Luke Thompson is the best prop in the game at present.

The Saints were crowned Super League champions on Saturday night as they defeated Salford 23-6 at Old Trafford.

Thompson picked up the Harry Sunderland Trophy after a man of the match display in the middle, playing 72 minutes before coming off the field.

When asked if there is a better prop than Thompson in the world right now, Holbrook replied: “Not as far as I’m concerned.

“The job he did for us tonight was incredible but it’s hard to compare players. He is brilliant and he has been all year.

“We have held him back a fair few times this year when he has been good to go back on but it was all about giving other guys game time so we had that luxury.

“We didn’t speak about how long he would play, we just thought we would see how he goes on. He was great.”

The Great Britain 24-man squad is announced for the Lions tour of the southern hemisphere on Monday, and Thompson will be hoping to add to his four England caps.

Speaking after the game, Thompson said: “I feel sweet, I feel like I could do another 72 minutes!

“We’ve had a couple of weeks off over the last couple of weeks so I felt good going into the final and I’m still feeling pretty good now.

“Hopefully I will get the Great Britain call and I’ll be over the moon if I get selected and I’d want to take this kind of form into the Great Britain tour.”

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