JOE Philbin’s rise to the top with Warrington Wolves is set to be marked with Great Britain squad selection.

The Warrington Guardian understands the 24-year-old England Knights and Ireland international is to be named in Wayne Bennett’s 29-man Great Britain Performance Squad tomorrow.

Great Britain Lions are being reformed for the first time since 2007 for an end-of-season tour to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

For Warringtonian Philbin, who has previously played for Bradford Bulls on loan and Swinton Lions on dual registration, securing a place in the initial squad and then gaining a place on the trip Down Under would be a prized step on the ladder he has been climbing since starting out at Culcheth Eagles at the age of 15.

This year, in particular, the prop forward has delivered eye-catching and headline-grabbing moments in The Wire shirt, while producing high levels of consistency in Steve Price’s pack either as a starter or through providing impact off the bench.

Philbin, who also had a spell with Latchford Albion before making his way through the Wolves production line, scored the decisive try against Hull FC in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Bolton.

And his arrival off the bench at Wembley last weekend marked a turning point in the Challenge Cup Final itself, with one of his trademark rampaging bursts resulting in the try that broke the deadlock in what went on to be his first silverware success at the top level in primrose and blue.

Philbin’s selection would be a surprise to some as he was not even named in the England Performance Squad last time around, but Wire fans would recognise the selection as being well deserved.

They have taken ‘one of their own’ to their hearts for the way in which he gives his heart and soul to the badge he wears on his shirt.

And Philbin is no stranger to touring, so his experience of representing Ireland in the 2017 World Cup Down Under as well as England Knights in Papua New Guinea last year would come in handy.

GB schedule 2019: 26 October: GB RL Lions v Tonga, Hamiliton 2 November: GB RL Lions v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland; Samoa v Fiji, Eden Park, Auckland; Australia v Tonga, Eden Park, Auckland 9 November: New Zealand v GB RL Lions, Christchurch; Papua New Guinea v Fiji, Christchurch 16 November: Papua New Guinea v GB RL Lions, Port Moresby