Sculthorpe has been given extra responsibilty

Joynt stepped down last week after seven years in the role to concentrate on the final year of his contract.

Sculthorpe, 26, is likely to take charge for the first time against Salford on Friday, 6 February.

He said: "It's going to be a big challenge taking over from Chris, but it's a great honour and I'm looking forward to it."

Sculthorpe, twice a winner of the prestigious Man of Steel award, will be stepping into the shoes of St Helens' most successful ever captain.

However, he regularly led the Saints in Joynt's absence last term, and is eager to begin the new campaign.

I'm confident he'll be a great captain for this club St Helens coach Ian Millward

He said: "This is going to be a big season for the club and we're all looking to put last season's disappointments behind us. There's a lot of enthusiasm in the squad."

St Helens coach Ian Millward said: "It takes a special sort of player and a special sort of person to captain a club like St Helens and I don't think there's any doubt that Paul has the right attributes.

"We're not a club that has a high turnover in captains - they tend to stick around - and Paul has shown he is committed to the Saints cause since he joined the club in 1998. I'm confident he'll be a great captain for this club."

Sculthorpe, who has made 172 appearances since joining St Helens from Warrington in 1998, is also seen as a possible long-term successor to Great Britain captain Andy Farrell.