SAINTS go into Saturday's Super League Grand Final having secured the long term services of two of their star players this week.

Vice captain Paul Sculthorpe's contract has been extended to five years to the season ending November 2007 and Darren Albert's for three years to 2005.

Speculation had been growing about the players interesting other clubs in League and Union.

Great Britain back row forward Sculthorpe has scored 303 points in 31 games in Tetley's Super League VII, making him the second highest scoring player this season.

Sculthorpe, signed from Warrington Wolves in 1997, said: "There is no better place to be in world rugby than at the Saints.

"To pledge my long-term career to the Saints was an easy decision and I am looking forward to continuing to play with some of the best players in the world in front of the best supporters in the game."

Albert is the second highest try-scorer in Tetley's Super League VII, having scored 24 tries in 34 games. Albert needs one more try to achieve 100 points for the Saints this season.

Albert, signed from Newcastle Knights in Australia, said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my first season in England with the Saints and I am looking forward to the future even more.

"The fans, in particular, have been fantastic to me and it's going to be terrific playing in front of them for the next three years."

Ian Millward, Saints' head coach, is pleased with the players' decisions.

He said: "I am delighted that both Paul and Darren have committed their long-term careers to the Saints. Having signed a long-term deal myself, I am thrilled that I will have these two fantastic players with me."

Saints' chairman Eamonn McManus could not hide his joy.

He added: "It's a major boost for the game and for the Saints.

"In particular, 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.

"To secure Paul for the next five years illustrates the club's ambitions to be and remain the best in world Rugby League.

"To do this at the same time as retaining Darren Albert, who has been a sensation in his first year at the club, gives us all great confidence for the future."