Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook proud to be a 10-year Saint

It is 10 years since he became the first Londoner to don the red vee since club legend Cliff Watson, but the effervescent packman says that time has flown.

Now recovered from the wrist injury picked up in training, McCarthy-Scarsbrook is looking forward to taking the field against his former club in a game that will be Saints’ only hit-out of the off season.

He said: “I am doing all right. It is a great achievement – a kid from London who came up north. I am very proud to have stayed at a club of this stature.

“The aim was to go back after rugby but I will probably end up staying up here now.

“It is mental – the 10 years have gone quick.”

It was a not a natural route to rugby league for McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who grew up on the Isle of Dogs following football with Millwall.

However, he was drawn to the oval ball game Harlequins Junior Academy, and after a spell with Hull’s reserve grade he returned to the Stoop where he established himself in the first team and earned an England call up.

Saints snapped him up ahead of the 2011 season and the rollercoaster began, flitting between prop, second row, loose forward and even emergency centre - a role he played during the first of his two Grand Final successes in 2014.

His affinity with his home city made the selection of his testimonial game opponents easy.

“I thought it only right with them being my first team and the club that got me into the game. It is an honour to play them and is a nice tip of the cap to them.

“Hughesy (chairman David Hughes) is still there and Danny Ward – one of my old teammates – is the head coach.

“It was easy to arrange it and nice that they agreed to come up as well.

“Woolfy said it's our only pre-season game so we have to get our match fitness before round one by playing the minutes in this one,” he said.

The past 10 years have been tough at times but there have also been some pinnacles - most notably twice at Old Trafford.

He earned plaudits for what he brought to the team last year - impetus, energy and enthusiasm but credits those around him.

“It is always easy when you are playing in such a good team that is winning nearly every week.

“I am an impact player who comes on to try and lift the team. Last year made my job easy – we were going well and had some big boppers running off.

“And I now know my role a lot better than years ago when I was playing prop, second row, loose and centre – now I know where I am and what I have got to do,” he said.

LMS - yes, his name is too long - has a programme of events coming up for 2020, and he had been delighted with the backing he has had so far from supporters who have helped him get events off the ground.

"It is nice that I have had so much support; people have come forward and tried to help me out.

"I have a testimonial shirt and I have been doing my brochure too.

"I have played 10 years for a club I love and it is amazing."