The 25-year-old stand-off or loose forward, who still had two years to run on his current contract, has signed a revised deal which will keep with his Super League club until the end of the 2007 season.

"There is no better place to be in world rugby than at the Saints," said Sculthorpe, a BBC Sport Online columnist.

"There has been some interest but it's a great club and I love it here.

"The fans are superb and the club is tremendous so why move on when I'm happy?

"To pledge my long-term career to the Saints was an easy decision."

St Helens have also agreed a new contract with Australian winger Darren Albert which will tie him to the Knowsley Road club until the end of the 2005 season.

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: "It's a major boost for the game and for the Saints.

"I would rate Paul Sculthorpe as the best all-round athlete in British sport at the moment and I would challenge any other sport to produce a more outstanding candidate.

Saints coach Ian Millward added: "Having signed a long-term deal myself, I am thrilled that I will have these two fantastic players with me."