Man of Steel Paul Sculthorpe is relishing his confrontation with rugby league "legend" Brad Fittler on Friday.

Sculthorpe's St Helens and Fittler's Sydney Roosters go head-to-head in the World Club Challenge at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

And the Saints star says it will be a real treat to be on the same field as the World Cup-winning captain again.

His decision to quit the international arena is clearly paying off in a big way Paul Sculthorpe on Brad Fittler

"The Roosters have a lot of top players but they do not come with a bigger reputation than Brad Fittler," Sculthorpe told this website.

"The man is a legend and a fantastic ambassador for his country.

"And he is playing the best rugby of his career right now.

"His decision to quit the international arena is clearly paying off in a big way. His achievements of last season prove that."

Fittler ended his international career after the 2001 Ashes tour

Fittler, still only 31, relinquished the Australia captaincy at the end of 2001 in order to prolong his club career.

The move yielded immediate dividends, with Fittler helping the Roosters become NRL champions the following year.

Now the stand-off is looking to add yet another accolade to his already bulging trophy cabinet.

Sculthorpe aims to stop him, but admits: "The Roosters have some top players in their squad, but when 'Freddie' is playing they look a pretty formidable unit."