Pressures of fame

By Paul Sculthorpe St Helens and Great Britain star

I was shocked to learn that Leeds duo Chev Walker and Ryan Bailey had been handed jail sentences this week.

I do not know the ins and outs of the trial, but the punishments handed out to all four players involved - not just Walker and Bailey - indicate the severity of their crimes.

Bailey has played a key role for Leeds this season

Everybody makes mistakes and I hope they learn from theirs.

Perhaps clubs and the sport's governing body can do more to educate and guide young players, although ultimate responsibility has to lie with the individual.

Players have got to realise they are in the public eye - and that can be difficult. Everybody wants to knock you down when you are successful.

Sportsmen, in particular, get very well paid for doing a job they love and they have to learn to live with the pressures that fame brings.

The loss of Walker and Bailey must have come as a huge blow to the Rhinos.

They are two very talented players who have played a major role in their club's success. They will definitely be missed.

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I have nothing but praise for the way my team-mate Keiron Cunningham has performed since his positive drugs test came to light.

He has reacted in the best way possible, getting on with his game and putting the whole episode behind him.

Cunningham has the backing of the players and the fans

He proved in the 36-15 win over Wakefield that he is not going to let his troubles affect him.

It must be a big help to him to know that his own people are backing him.

The fans, in particular, must take a lot of credit. They really got behind Keiron at Wakefield, singing his name in the warm-up and throughout the game.

If there is an important lesson in all of this, it is that players should make detailed enquiries of all medical staff.

Keiron placed his trust in a supposed qualified specialist and is now paying the consequences.

I know I will be extra vigilant in the future.

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I was not surprised at Stuart Raper's sacking as Wigan coach.

Raper was going to find it hard after revealing his intention to quit

He had already announced that he was leaving at the end of the season and it is always difficult to stay on once you have made such a public declaration.

There must have been a lot of pressure on him and it clearly made his position untenable.

I am sure whoever gets the Wigan job will do well.

Wigan have a great squad of players and excellent resources. It will just a question of getting the best out of them.