Mike Forshaw's decision to make his international comeback may have surprised some, but the Bradford Bulls player has had plenty of time to think about it.

The 31-year-old loose forward admitted: "Brian Noble, who is also Great Britain's assistant coach, told me a month or two ago not to book any holidays in November, so I knew what was coming!"

Added Forshaw, who is trying to add to his four Great Britain caps by facing Australia: "I then just tried to blank it out. It was all right playing well then, but it was how I was playing at the end of the season that was more important, and my form has been pretty consistent towards the end.

"So it was no surprise before the play-offs when Brian asked me if I would reconsider my international retirement decision, and David Waite (Great Britain coach) backed that up on Saturday night after the Grand Final against Wigan.

"They gave me 48 hours to think about it, and on Wednesday I made a decision to go for it after speaking to a few family members."

As for Forshaw's hopes of playing for Great Britain beyond this series, he said: "I will never say never, but I am very privileged to have had this opportunity and I intend to take it.

"What I didn't want to happen was to be sitting at home watching it on TV and thinking I could have been a part of it, and if Great Britain had done well it would have been really hard to swallow.

"I am the oldest in the playing squad, but that doesn't worry me because I feel fit enough to do it. If someone younger comes along next year and takes my place then great.

Waite said: "It was form with Mike. I asked him to reconsider his position and, more importantly, he's keen to have a crack at Australia."