Knowles, who made 246 appearances for Saints over 11 impressive seasons before joining Australian side the Dolphins at the end of 2025, missed the group games against Tonga and France with a calf issue.

Morgan Knowles, who has been a spectator in England's two previous group games in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (Image: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

But a day after his wife Rhyanna gave birth to their third child, the 29-year-old Cumbrian is ready to answer his country’s call when needed most because England need a big points victory over the Kumuls at WIN Stadium in Wollongong to keep alive hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

And Knowles, who has been named at loose-forward in place of Victor Radley, can help lay the platform for any potential points haul in what is expected to be a highly physical encounter.

“He's had a brilliant season in the NRL. The Dolphins have been one of the leading teams in the competition and he's been in the middle of that field, working tirelessly,” said McDermott.

“He's got an enormous work ethic. His wife's had a baby this week, so he's had a fair bit going on, but I'm really keen to get him in the team and I'm looking forward to watching him play tomorrow.”

McDermott said no player is 100 per cent fit at the end of a long season but doubled down on stating that Knowles is “good to go”.

“The baby was delivered yesterday and everybody’s pleased for him. I haven't spoken to Morgan yet, but he's probably got his hands full changing nappies,” said McDermott.

“He'll be good. And he's really keen to get back with the team and start playing.”

Knowles was at the heart of Saints’ four successive Grand Final wins between 2019 and 2022.

He joined the club at the age of 14, progressing through the scholarship and academy ranks to make his first-team debut in 2015.

As well as winning four Super League titles, he celebrated three League Leaders’ Shields, the 2021 Challenge Cup, and the 2023 World Club Challenge in the red vee.

Morgan Knowles lifts the Super League trophy after helping Saints be crowned champions for the fourth successive year in 2022 at Old Trafford (Image: Will Palmer/SWpix.com)

Knowles departed The BrewDog Stadium saying he did not want any regrets about the career challenges he took on when the time comes to retire.

As good as Knowles was in a Saints shirt, McDermott said challenging himself in the NRL with the Dolphins – reunited with his ex-Saints boss Kristian Woolf – presented a fresh test.

“Obviously it'd be a step up and he's handled that step up really well,” said McDermott.

“Any player that comes from Super League to the NRL, they would have a period of adjustment and I think Morgan Knowles was probably adjusting all the way through pre-season because he came out the blocks.

Morgan Knowles representing England last year in the Ashes series against Australia (Image: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

“He has an ability to ‘play’ and be a pivotal 13, but he also has the ability to just be the grafter and carry the ball when it's tough and make the tackles that normal people can't get to.

“He covers the ground really well defensively and he's just got this insatiable work ethic so he's been a real benefit for the Dolphins.”

Knowles has 11 England caps and this would be his fifth start, with one of his seven appearances off the bench coming against Papua New Guinea in the Covid-delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup.