Ex-St Helens and Super League star James Graham sensationally sacked

He is one of the most passionate sportsmen in rugby league, but former St Helens and Super League star is set to lose his job.

That’s according to Fox Sports which has revealed that Graham will no longer be taking up his role of mentoring the St George Illawarra Dragons’ elite pathways, though he will remain in the role until the end of the season.

The news apparently came as a shock will those concerned with Graham enjoying a stellar reputation within the game, but the former England captain becomes the third St George Illawarra staff member to be shown the door in just two weeks.

The Dragons will already be waving goodbye to assistant coaches Peter Gentle and Mathew Head with head coach Anthony Griffin deciding to axe his two right-hand men as St George look to rebuild on and off the field for 2023.

However, the decision to let Graham go is a baffling one, considering the mentoring he has been able to provide to the likes of young stars Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan.

The former Saints man is also a pundit on high-profile media companies Fox League and Triple M whilst he has also been employed by the club in a corporate executive role this season, where his profile was a major lure for sponsors.

Graham was an ever-present in the England squad throughout his career, earning 44 caps and being an incredibly passionate member of the national squad during that time.

The 36-year-old played 423 first grade games in the Super League and NRL, but will mostly be remembered for his Grand Final-winning exploits with Saints in his final season in the sport in 2020.

That year, of course, the flame-haired enforcer made the switch back to Saints from St George midway through the season with Luke Thompson going the other way to the NRL.