Dream XIII: Paul Sculthorpe
St Helens legend Paul Sculthorpe has picked his dream England squad from players he played alongside during his career for Super League TV.
Sculthorpe started his career with Warrington as a 16-year-old and was named in the Super League Dream Team in his debut season in 1996.
The Burnley-born loose forward made 78 appearances for the Wolves before moving to St Helens for a then transfer record fee of £375,000 and he went on to play 247 games for the club, scoring 113 tries and 392 goals.
He won the Man of Steel award in 2001 and 2002, becoming the first player ever to retain the accolade.
The former Saints and Great Britain captain was awarded the honour of MBE in 2013 for his services to Rugby League and to charity.
And Sculthorpe has listed his all-time England Rugby League team from players who he played with.
Line-Up:
1 Paul Wellens
PS: “Mr Consistency. He was consistently brilliant every time he pulled the jersey on. I had the pleasure of playing with Paul at both club and country and he was absolutely outstanding. A notable mention as well must go to Kris Radlinski, I played international games with Kris and played at the highest level when he pulled the shirt on.”
2 Jason Robinson
PS: “He was an absolute freak! I’ve never seen anybody with the feet, pace and agility of Jason and he did damage every time he played.”
3 Keith Senior
PS: “We made our international debuts together on the ‘96 Oceania tour and throughout the years of playing with Keith, he caused the Australians and Kiwis some trouble. A big strong and great lad as well.”
4 Gary Connolly
PS: “Pound for pound, he is one of the strongest players I know. He is a great fella and it was always nice playing on the right edge knowing Gary was outside of you, certainly in defence. He was a good social manager as well, he didn’t mind a pint!”
5 Martin Offiah
PS: “I made my debut England debut with Martin up in Gateshead against France and he is one of his own. He had pace to burn and is an absolute legend of Rugby League.”
6 Danny McGuire
PS: “I played international level with England and Great Britain with Danny. I think he is one of the stand-out players of the Super League era. He has been a massive part of Leeds’ success and it was great teaming alongside him. He is a great sniffer of tries and one of the highest tryscorers in Super League.”
7 Sean Long
PS: “I had the pleasure of playing with Longy at club and international level. He was an absolute mercurial player and could win a game on his own and was a big reason why we (St Helens) had so much success.”
8 Stuart Fielden
PS: “Stuart in the early 2000s was one of the best players in the world and was a big, strong man. He certainly caused the Aussies and Kiwis a lot of problems over them years. He was an outstanding player at Bradford Bulls and was a big part of their success in the early 2000s.”
9 James Roby
PS: “Obviously notable mentions for Jimmy Lowes, Keiron Cunningham and Terry Newton. Keiron and Jimmy went on to play for Wales and Ireland. Just like Paul Wellens, he is consistently brilliant every time he pulls the jersey on and one of the strongest pound for pound players that I’ve ever played with.”
10 Adrian Morley
PS: “A fearsome character and certainly didn’t take a backwards step and that was the case at international level as well. He had success on either side of the hemisphere, winning the NRL Grand Final with the (Sydney) Roosters. A formidable player and someone who I know the Australians think a lot of.”
11 Jamie Peacock
PS: “I picked JP because he picked me in his team! You couldn’t not have Jamie in there, he’s an absolute legend of Rugby League. To play the level JP has played at Super League and international level up to the ripe old age of 38 was phenomenal.”
12 Lee Gilmour
PS: “I played with him at club level and for me, one of the outstanding back rower back-rowers of the Super League era. It was a pleasure to play with him.”
13 Andy Farrell (C)
PS: “Faz was England and Great Britain captain when I first come through and was a real role model for me as well. He was always one who lead with his performance week in, week out.
“Captain? I have gone for Andrew Farrell. I think traits for a good captain is leading the way with your performance not neccasarily with what you say, and Faz did that consistently over the years but away from that, he was a good talker as well and certainly inspired his teammates.”
