The five best St Helens players of the Super League era

Perhaps the most consistent team in the Super League era, St Helens have won the title eight times, including back-to-back Grand Finals in 2019 and 2020.

Throughout the 26-year Super League period, some incredible stars have passed through the doors at first Knowsley Road and then Langtree Park, including five on this list.

Paul Wellens

The ever Mr. Reliable, Paul Wellens spent his whole 16-year career with boyhood club St Helens. Over the course of that career, the fullback made almost 500 appearances, scoring 231 tries and kicking 40 goals. After being named Man of Steel as Saints won the treble in 2006, Wellens was made captain in 2011. As skipper, he lifted the Super League title in 2014, adding to his previous four alongside four Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges.

Jamie Lyon

He was at Saints for just two seasons, but Jamie Lyon’s impact was momentous. Signing from NRL side Parramatta Eels ahead of the 2005 season, the centre settled in seamlessly, winning the Man of Steel in that year with 22 tries and 42 goals. Lyon was critical in Saints’ treble-winning success the following season too, scoring 22 tries and kicking 163 goals in just 32 matches. He returned to the NRL at the end of 2006, but his mark had been well and truly left.

Sean Long

A cult hero in St Helens, Sean Long moved from Widnes midway through the 1997 season, racking up 124 tries and 812 goals over a period of 12 years. A Man of Steel winner in 2000, the halfback claimed four Super League titles, six Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges in his time at Knowsley Road. Ever the opportunist, Long could change the game in a matter of seconds.

Paul Sculthorpe

Sculthorpe signed for St Helens from Warrington Wolves ahead of the 1998 season and went on to become a club legend. He made over 250 appearances for the club, helping them to four Super League titles, five Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges. Sculthorpe also won the Man of Steel award back-to-back in 2001 and 2002, becoming the first player to ever do so.

James Roby

One of the greatest to have ever played Super League, James Roby is St Helens through and through. With over 500 career games to his name, the number nine has won three Grand Finals and three Challenge Cups with Saints. Incredibly, Roby has won two Harry Sunderland trophies as well as the Man of Steel in 2007 to etch his name firmly into the club’s folklore.