FORMER Saints skipper Paul Sculthorpe is among the latest four to be inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.

The multi-talented loose forward was a huge favourite at Saints in the late 90s and into the noughties - with his highlight being his try off the bench to help vanquish Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge.

He is the second former Saints captain in the space of a week to earn a place in this prestigious group of legends following on from Alan Prescott last Friday.

Joining Sculthorpe in the latest four are Jane Banks, Michelle Land and Jamie Peacock MBE, with the quartet recognised as the best of the very best and will take their place in the Hall of Fame at a celebration induction dinner hosted by Rugby League Cares on Tuesday October 22.

The four champions of the men’s and women’s games will be inducted alongside the late James Lomas and Alan Prescott, whose elevation into the sport’s most prestigious and exclusive club was announced last week.

The inductions take the number of players in the Rugby League Hall of Fame to 41 players – 36 men and five women - which represents a tiny fraction of the number who have played the sport since its formation in 1895.

There will be an additional feature of this year's Hall of Fame induction dinner, as for the first time a team will be added to the Hall of Fame in a new category - the identity of that team will be confirmed later this week.

RFL Chief Executive Tony Sutton said: “On behalf of the whole sport, I would like to congratulate Jane, Michelle, Jamie and Paul on their very worthy induction into the RL Hall of Fame.

“All four represented their clubs and their country with distinction throughout their playing careers and acted as inspirational role models to countless numbers of young players.

“It is a real privilege to be able to bestow this very special honour on four individuals who have made such important contributions to the history of our sport.”

(Image: Ben Duffy/SWpix.com)

Sculthorpe was twice named Man of Steel during an illustrious career with Saints, England and Great Britain when he was recognised as one of the most athletic and talented players in the sport’s history.

Having played his junior rugby in his home-town of Oldham, Sculthorpe began his professional career at Warrington in 1995 and was selected by Great Britain for their 1996 Oceania tour, when he gained the first of 26 GB caps.

He joined Saints for a then world record fee of £375,000 the following year, going on to make 261 appearances for the club over the next 11 years.

In that time, he helped St Helens to Super League Grand Final wins in 1999, 2000 and 2002, and Challenge Cup final victories in 2001, 2004 and 2006, as well as three World Club Challenge titles.

He became the first player to be named Man of Steel in successive seasons in 2001 and 2002.

(Image: BEN DUFFY/SWpix)

To be considered for entry into the Hall of Fame, players must have a record of outstanding achievement at the very highest levels of the sport; possess a reputation that transcends the era in which they played; and have made a contribution to the sport that will last as long as Rugby League is played.

Inductees are selected by a specially-convened panel comprising representatives from across the sport, including former international players, coaches, historians, administrators and media.

Ahead of the Rugby League World Cup in England in 2022, significant changes were made to the RL Hall of Fame induction procedure, to allow the consideration of women and wheelchair players – consistent with the staging of men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions in sport’s most inclusive World Cup.

To be eligible for consideration for inclusion in the Hall of Fame, a player must have played Rugby League in the UK for at least 10 years and played their last match at least five years before the date of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Tickets for the RL Hall of Fame dinner at The Edge, Wigan, on Tuesday October 22 (7.00pm start) purchased before September 20 are available from Rugby League Cares at the special early bird price of £60 per head (£600 for a table of 10, inc VAT) – please email events@rlcares.org.uk for more details.