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 Tuesday, 23 April, 2002, 11:14 GMT 12:14 UK
Saints' Paul Sculthorpe
Paul Sculthorpe on Challenge Cup
St Helens star Paul Sculthorpe answers your e-mails ahead of the Challenge Cup final with Wigan

News imageListen to Paul's answers here

St Helens face a mouth-watering Challenge Cup final with Wigan after destroying Leeds 42-16 in their semi-final.

Wigan will be keen to impress in their first Challenge Cup final since 1998 and the Murrayfield clash between the two old enemies has the makings of a classic.

And voted Super League's Man of Steel 2001, Sculthorpe could be a major influence on the outcome of the game.


They don't come much bigger than this Paul. Is this a dream come true?

Yes, it's great to back in the Challenge Cup final again. To win it last year was a great experience and I hope to do it again. It's a local derby as well, so it'll be a big day for the fans.


Gary Keenan, UK

Have you and your team-mates recovered from your freak group injury? And do you feel Saints were a bit cheeky fielding a reserve side against the Bulls?

Not at all, because everyone was genuinely injured. It was a changed team, but at the end of the day players who were picked are contracted to Saints. So I don't know how the Rugby Football League can have a say in what team is picked.


Mike, UK

It was a very cynical thing for Ian Millward to do, but in doing so he is highlighting the ridiculous number of fixtures that the clubs now have to play.

That's right - the fixture list is immense at the moment and there are too many games. We played with injured players in the semi-final, but in the league game we could afford to rest a few players who were carrying knocks.

Is it simply the case that you're carrying knocks for the whole season?

Yes - a lot of players shouldn't have played against Leeds, but you only get one shot at the semi-final, and we had to play the injured players.


James Howard, England

Is it going to be strange running out for Challenge Cup final at Murrayfield?

Yes, but I think it's good for the game and Murrayfield is a good venue. It takes the game on the road a bit, and I think it's good to spread the word. It's a big weekend, and having the final at Murrayfield makes it a bit more special for the fans that come to watch it.

And of course it's a lot easier for both sets of fans to get to Murrayfield than it was to get down to Wembley.

That's right, I know people have struggle to book hotels and things like that, but hopefully it will be worth it.


Paul Fletcher, UK

Have you been looking out for Wigan's team news (i.e. Radlinski) or do you concentrate wholly on your own plans?

Obviously were more concerned with what we do, but we do listen out for what's going on with Wigan. I imagine that both Radlinski and Paul Johnson will play - it's a Cup final and as long as they can get on the field they'll play.


Tim Thompson, St Helens

Could Paul Wellens be challenging Kris Radlinski for a place in Great Britain's Ashes side?

Definitely. Paul Wellen is one of the outstanding players in Super League, and he's had a tremendous season. Wello is definitely staking a claim for the number one shirt.


Jim Adcock, London

How big a loss would Keiron Cunningham be?

It would be a massive loss. He's been carrying knocks, but he be playing on Saturday. He's a tough lad and he's going to play through the pain barrier.


Graham Lucas, UK

Will you be targeting anyone in particular in the Wigan side, and as Man of Steel, are you preparing yourself for a barrage?

I've found in the games since that I've been marked a lot more, but Wigan are a team with many strengths. But they've also got their weaknesses, and that's what we'll be targeting.

Have you found that you've been marked more closely sine the Man of Steel award?

Obviously I've been targeted more and marked more closely, but it's up to me to keep improving my game and stay one step ahead.


Matt Meagher, Sydney, Australia

How much tougher do you think the Kangaroos will be at the Sydney Football Stadium, weather-wise and with only a few British and Irish supporters in the crowd?

It will very tough over there - a lot different to here. On their own territory they're a tough team, but we're looking forward to it. The game over here has improved greatly, as we found out during the Test series, and we're up for the challenge.

Do you think that at club level you're achieving parity with the Australian league?

I think our club rugby is as good as theirs, but at Test level they have strength in depth, and they play a few more games than us against the likes of New Zealand. Those games obviously have greater intensity.

I suppose the problem is that Britain doesn't have a side of their class to play regularly.

That's right. They play quite a few games against New Zealand, and we could possibly do with playing more games of that intensity.


Luke, Wigan

In terms of domestic league, this is as big as it gets. How difficult will it be controlling the emotions against the old enemy and how nervous are you already?

I'm not nervous - I'm looking forward to it. It will be a big occasion and everyone has to curb their emotions and concentrate on the job in hand. Hopefully that will win us the game.

Are you confident?

I'm very confident, but we're not going to be cocky either. We know that we've got a great team, but we have to perform on the day. They're going to be up for it, and I'm sure it will be a great game.

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