Scully’s Column: Legend Paul Sculthorpe writes exclusively for St Helens Star, in association with Betfred

THE more you read about this horrendous coronavirus that is causing so much heartache around the world, the more you realise where the real heroes are... those working in the NHS and other key areas to keep society running.

Having said that, I believe my role with this column is to try desperately to keep rugby league somewhere near the forefront of people’s thoughts.

Sport, not just rugby league, is a great release from all the misery in the world.

There might not be any Betfred Super League games for the foreseeable future with clubs furloughing players and coaches, but there is plenty going on behind the scenes.

I thought it was fantastic that Swinton Lions forward Lewis Hatton has joined the band of people helping to battle coronavirus within the NHS.

Lewis, the former Rochdale Hornets player, is in the final year of his training to be a nurse and is being fast-tracked into a local hospital.

Meanwhile Saints England star Mark Percival has publicly stated that his fellow international, Saints outstanding front rower Luke Thompson has the full backing of the Saints squad ahead of his move to NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs in 2021.

Thomo, 24, who has penned at three-year deal with the Bulldogs, has played all his professional career so far at Saints since joining as a junior. He has made over 150 first-team appearances so far.

He picked up the Harry Sunderland award for Man of the Match in our Grand Final win over Salford last October, crowning an outstanding season which saw him selected in the Betfred Super League ‘Dream Team’ for the second season running.

I personally think Luke will be brilliant Down Under. His professional attitude and application to training is second to none, which has no doubt helped his meteoric rise to one of the best forwards in RL.

He will join a number of ‘poms’ now playing in the Southern Hemisphere, and although we would obviously love to keep these players in Super League, it shows the quality of some of the players we are producing, who not only go over to Australia and survive but stand out.

Finally, we sadly lost one of the greats of our game, with the passing of Frank Myler.

Regarded from many as one of the finest players there has been, an iconic player and living legend in Widnes.

Myler moved to Saints in the summer of 1967 in a swap-deal involving Ray French. He went on to play 149 games in the Red V scoring 46 tries.

More impressively, Frank was the last ever British captain to lift the Ashes trophy in 1970 in a series win over Australia. This is something that many have tried and failed since, including myself..despite coming agonisingly close on several occasions.

He went on to coach GB, and in 1992 was inducted to the Widnes Hall of Fame. RIP Legend.

Again, I would like to say I hope everybody stays safe during this tough period. Let’s listen to and abide by what we are told and beat this together.