The St Helens star received rugby league's premier individual award in recognition for his outstanding contribution to Super League in 2001.

The 24-year-old was nominated by a panel of broadcasters and journalists. Team-mate Sean Long won the prize last year.

Sculthorpe's growing stature in the game was also recognised by his peers who voted him the GMB/Rugby League Players Association Player of the Year.

In the last 12 months, the Great Britain international has helped Saints win the Super League, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge Cup.

And in the second half of the season Sculthorpe helped offset Long's absence after the scrum half was laid low by a knee injury.

Having filled in at club level for Long, the loose forward may be asked to do the same on the international stage in the autumn Ashes series.

"The Man of Steel is a tremendous individual achievement and there is no doubt that Paul Sculthorpe is a worthy winner," Tetley's sponsorship manager Gareth Roberts said.

Sculthorpe, who scored 31 tries and 287 points this season, beat Wigan's Kris Radlinski and Jason Smith of Hull in the ballot of all Super League players for their award of best player.

And St Helens, who dominated the awards for the second consecutive year, received further recognition for their hat-trick of trophies with Ian Millward being named Coach of the Year.