Paul Sculthorpe MBE was proudly given his Lions Heritage Number at the 2026 Rugby League Lions Association Annual Reunion Lunch.
The event, which has an 80-year history, was held on Sunday, 1st February 2026 at Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford.
The Association was founded in 1945 to reunite players and staff who had been selected for tours and international tournaments held in the southern hemisphere since 1910.
‘Scully’ was presented with his certificate alongside Karl Harrison and Daryl Powell by Alan Smith, the Great Britain wing, who was a member of the last Lions team to win the Ashes in Australia in 1970.
The dinner was sponsored by Ellis Rugby and supported by the RFL and Rugby League Cares, with fundraising for the Rugby League Benevolent Fund through an auction and raffle – and several of the former players supported by the Benevolent Fund were in attendance.
For further details of how to support the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, please click here.
Undoubtedly, the toast of the event was Sir Billy Boston, who became the first Lion to attend as a Knight of the Realm following his knighthood last summer.
Sir Billy became the first man to be knighted for his Rugby League achievements, and was given a standing ovation last Sunday afternoon when he took to the stage to be greeted by two fellow Lions who he had played with and against, Ian Brooke and Colin Clarke, as they shared memories of their time on the 1966 Great Britain tour.
Abi Ekoku, the Interim CEO of the Rugby Football League, said: “It was a personal privilege and very special pleasure to attend my first Lions lunch on Sunday. Alongside a number of others who were attending the event for the first time, I was energised by what was an extremely impressive and enjoyable occasion.
“International representation is the pinnacle of sporting achievement, and it’s vitally important we as a sport continue to celebrate heroes of the past. The Lions Luncheon delivered the perfect platform for some of the very best the sport has produced to meet, reflect and share their memories and achievements.
“It was a truly fantastic occasion, capped off by having Sir Billy Boston, Colin Clarke and Ian Brooke share a stage together. It’s something I will never forget and sincerely hope to remain a part of the event moving forward.”
