My Ultimate Team: Leon Pryce selects his best 1-13 including St Helens, Great Britain legends

George Riley

Legendary Great Britain half-back Leon Pryce is our latest guest on My Ultimate Team, this season’s new feature on Love Rugby League.

 Pryce starred in the iconic Bradford Bulls and St Helens teams of the noughties before spells at Catalans Dragons and Hull FC, as well as representing Great Britain. His glittering trophy cabinet boasts four Grand Final wins, three World Club Challenge victories, six Challenge Cups and six League Leaders’ Shields.

Pryce’s most recent role in the game came as assistant boss to Sean Long at Championship side Featherstone Rovers, while son Will is bidding to make his mark in the NRL having joined Newcastle Knights from Huddersfield Giants.

Speaking exclusively to Love Rugby League, Leon Pryce picked his ultimate team of players he lined up alongside during his career. 

1. Paul Wellens

Paul Wellens St Helens SWpix
Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix

The best defensive full-back whose name speaks for itself. A good reader of the game with good link-up play.

2. Lesley Vainikolo

Lesley Vainikolo, Shontyne Hape, Leon Pryce

The best winger there has ever been in Super League history without a doubt.

3. Jamie Lyon

Jamie Lyon, Super League
Jamie Lyon celebrates with St Helens team-mates in 2006. Photo by PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo.

The most natural freaky talent I have ever seen.

4. Matt Gidley

An unbelievable player at Saints. The Gidley flick – he has his own pass named after him, which says it all.

5. Tevita Vaikona

He was like an extra forward, he was unstoppable carrying the ball out of back field. His work-rate was immense.

6. Paul Sculthorpe

Paul Sculthorpe Great Britain Alamy

A two-time Man of Steel and a great bloke as well. Always did it at Great Britain level. 

MORE ULTIMATE TEAM: Paul Sculthorpe selects his best 1-17 including St Helens, Great Britain stars

7. Sean Long

Sean Long drop goal
Sean Long kicks a drop goal while playing for Great Britain against Australia in November 2006

The best player I have ever played with. Way ahead of his time, made my game easier.

8. Stuart Fielden

Stuart Fielden Wigan Warriors Alamy

A machine: just an absolute animal.

9. Keiron Cunningham

Another player ahead of his time. Strength, vision, skill, the full lot. An unbelievable player.

MORE ULTIMATE TEAM: Willie Poching selects his best 1-17 including Leeds Rhinos, New Zealand stars

10. Adrian Morley

Adrian Morley, SWPix.
Adrian Morley in action for Salford against Wakefield, 2014. Picture by Martin Rickett/PA Archive/PA Images.

Another animal. The man you want to give the ball to for every big carry and to be alongside in every defensive set.

11. Jamie Peacock

Jamie Peacock, Leeds Rhinos, 2015

As tough as they come. You say his name and people know who he is.  

12. Lee Gilmour

Leon Pryce and Matty Smith St Helens Alamy
Matty Smith (centre) celebrates a St Helens try with Leon Pryce (left) and Lee Gilmour (right)

My backrower for many years and one of my best friends in the game. Extremely under-rated, he was one of the best back-row forwards the game has ever seen. 

13. Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell Great Britain Alamy

People always compare Faz and Scully but they were the best two loose-forwards that Super League has seen, generational players so I need to fit both in my team.

MORE ULTIMATE TEAM: Luke Gale selects his best 1-17 including Castleford, Leeds, England stars

Substitutes 

14. James Roby

James Roby St Helens Alamy

The most durable, toughest player in Super League history. A young boy when I was at Saints and went on to dominate the number nine position. To go from Cunningham to Roby in one team just doesn’t happen.

15. James Graham

James Graham Manly

He went over to Australia and dominated the NRL. 

MORE ULTIMATE TEAM: Joel Tomkins names his greatest 1-17 from players he played alongside

16. Henry Paul

Henry Paul Bradford Bulls Alamy

I would have started him at 6 but went for more Great Britain players. Fantastic for Bradford, a brilliant player.

17. Joe Vagana

I was only young at Bradford with big Joe; he was aggressive, feared and dominant. Looked after the young lads – a tough, hard man with real presence. Liked to put his elbow in people’s throats – a gentleman thug, which I loved.

MORE ULTIMATE TEAM: Jamie Langley selects his best 1-13 including England, Bradford Bulls legends