FORMER Saints skipper James Graham has finally received the Golden Cap which confirms his membership of an exclusive group of Rugby League players to have made more than 50 Test appearances.

And typically of the former Saints, Canterbury, England and Great Britain legend, he immediately gave it away in a special ceremony at Thatto Heath Crusaders.

Graham started playing at St Helens Crusaders which eventually became Thatto Heath - and in return for his cap he was handed an old Crusaders shirt.

When informed by International Rugby League that he would be receiving a Golden Cap – only the eighth player to qualify for the honour - Graham asked for the presentation to take place at Thatto Heath, and for the cap to be displayed at the club.

 

Speaking at the presentation at Close Street in Thatto Heath, an emotional Graham said: “Places like this give people a chance and our game is built on clubs like this and it is important to recognise that.

“This cap is the most unique thing I have ever been awarded and it is important to give it back.

“I was just a kid from Maghull who got given an opportunity to come here and play.

“I went on to play for St Helens and 53 games for my country and in the NRL, but if it wasn’t for this I don’t know where I would have been. It gave me everything.”

The initial plans were made in early 2020, after the front rower had completed his half century of international appearances on Great Britain’s Pacific tour the previous autumn – and before he made his fairytale farewell appearance for St Helens in the dramatic 2020 Super League Grand Final.

Then Covid intervened, forcing the cancellation of the Ashes series that was scheduled for the autumn of 2020, and the 12-month postponement of RLWC2021.

He made his Test debut as a 20-year-old for Great Britain at home to New Zealand in June 2006, and was an ever-present in a three-Test series against the Kiwis the following year – the last time GB played at home.

From 2008 to 2018, he won 44 England caps – playing in the 2008, 2013 and 2017 World Cups – before taking his GB tally to nine by playing in all four Tests on that 2019 tour.

His tally of 53 caps leaves him level with Adrian Morley, who was the last British player to be presented with a Golden Cap in 2018 – when he was joined by the Australia greats Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith; Ruben Wiki of New Zealand; and Petero Civoniceva, who totalled 51 caps for Australia and Fiji combined.