TO take on giant former England and British Lion forward Wade Dooley at his own game you would have to be stupid.

Well Rossendale second team skipper Paul Lee did just that -- and he is!

"I put him on his backside," recalls Lee, known to everyone simply as Stupid. "And the thing is, I bumped in to him a few months ago and he still remembered it."

'Stupid', the 6ft 3in blind side flanker, picked up his nickname for his antics both on and off the pitch -- unfortunately neither can be printed in a family newspaper.

"It's quite funny when I am introduced to people as Stupid," said Lee who hails from Walthamstow in East London. "I'm a big lad and people always say I'm not calling him that!"

Lee, now 37, likes nothing more than to mix it with the opposition -- no matter how big they are -- and he has picked up a fair few injuries along the way.

"At the last count I'd broken my nose 14 times, I've fractured my skull, I've got a plastic knuckle and my knees, ankles and shoulders have all gone.

"But I've still got about 10 years left in me."

He added: "My game is all about destroying the opposition. I always go for the biggest player no matter who they are, including Wade Dooley who I faced when Rossendale came up against the Lancashire Constabulary.

"So you're bound to pick up a few injuries."

Lee's reputation goes before him and he is remembered by many for his big hits and tackles.

"No matter where I go people seem to remember me. I've either flattened them in some game or they have seen me do it. But we always go to the bar and have a drink and have a chat about the game."

After more than 500 first team games for Rossendale, Lee took over the second team captaincy this season. And he has seen his side rise to the top of a league which was only established last season by Rossendale vice chairman Ian Cosens.

"It would be great to win it for Ian but more importantly for the lads in the side. There is a great self belief in the second team set-up now and a big turnaround from last season. I'd like to think I have played my part."

That new found confidence has seen Rossendale win 14 of their opening 16 league matches and remain on course to win the title back off Rochdale.

Vice chairman Cosens view to bring a competitive edge to second 15 rugby is music to Lee's ears.

He said: "There is no such thing as a friendly game of rugby. In my view there is league, cup and non-league rugby. No friendlies, that's for in the bar after the match."

Mr Cosens added: "Last year Rochdale won the trophy but it would be a great feeling for me if I presented the trophy this season to Paul."

And you would have to be stupid to bet against him doing just that!