
One St Helens legend has claimed that one of the club’s new signings could “enhance rugby league” nationwide given his ‘X-factor’ ability.
Those are the thoughts of two-time Man of Steel winner Paul Sculthorpe regarding St Helens’ star signing Tristan Sailor with the 26-year-old tipped for great things by Scully.
Sculthorpe still holds the record of being the only man to defend his Man of Steel crown with the Red Vee legend winning the award in 2001 and 2002.
The ex-Great Britain star has now touted Tristan Sailor to be among the current Super League stars in with a chance at earning that crown, whilst also suggesting that the former NRL man is the sort of player to enhance the fan base of rugby league in this country.
Those mighty high expectations were outlined in the St Helens Star in ‘Scully’s Column’ where the 47-year-old called on fans not to read too much into the pre-season defeat to Salford Red Devils.
St Helens signing tipped to ‘enhance RL’ in England

Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
St Helens lost 40-12 to Salford Red Devils, the same side they will meet in Round One of Super League but Sculthorpe expects a totally different affair in less than a fortnight’s time.
Sculthorpe pointed to the positives of getting valuable experience for many of the young stars on show that day, arguing that they’ll likely be required throughout the year.
However, he quickly pointed to Sailor as a player who has “already shown glimpses of class” with the former Brisbane Broncos man earning a comparison to 2023 Man of Steel Bevan French.
“Sailor will definitely keep defences on their toes, much like Bevan French of Wigan, ” argued Sculthorpe as he made the case for how Sailor can help take rugby league beyond the heartlands.
Continuing, Sculthorpe said: “He is undoubtedly the kind of X-factor player to further enhance RL as a whole in this country.
“Sailor, along with the likes of French, Jack Welsby and Hull KR star Mikey Lewis will be key in further promoting RL outside of the well established heartlands across the M62 corridor.”
With every Super League game on Sky Sports, Sailor’s exploits will be available for plenty to see and he is certainly well fancied to go well given that he is the second favourite to claim the Man of Steel crown that Sculthorpe first won over 20 years ago.

Gaz Walsh
February 3, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Scully straw clutching again. Face it Wigan are light years ahead of Saints, you let all your stars get old together just like Wigan did in the early 2000’s. It took 12 years for us to win a title again after our fall. Enjoy mediocrity