SAINTS coach Ian Millward is searching for a new three-quarter following Kevin Iro's decision to quit.

The outstanding veteran Kiwi centre showed his intentions to leave when he joined four departing colleagues - Steve Hall, Heath Cruckshank, David Fairleigh and Vila Matautia - in the final bow at the end of Saturday's game at Wigan.

Iro has been a colossus in the British game since signing for Wigan in the 1987-88 season and his time at Saints has been marked with success especially when it came to the crunch games.

Winger Hall is heading to London Broncos, utility forward Cruckshank to Huddersfield Giants, while Matautia and Fairleigh are retiring.

Although Saints have already signed Barrow's promising young three-quarter Ade Gardner and Darren Albert (wing) and Darren Britt (prop) from Australia, the five departures still leave gaping holes in the squad.

Despite the disappointment of their play-off defeat Saints scooped another treble on Monday night when Paul Sculthorpe grabbed the prestigious Tetley's Super League Man of Steel award and the Players' Player of the Year title while his boss Ian Millward grabbed the Coach of the Year honour.

The versatile 24-year-old international has shown his true grit this season, taking extra responsibility in the absence of Sean Long, which has seen Sculthorpe switch from the back row to stand-off, as well as taking over the goal kicking duties. Sculthorpe's success has been even more remarkable given he suffered a broken jaw in the cup tie with Wigan in February and then sustained another serious facial injury in the Roses Origin clash in June.

That Millward received the coach's award despite failing to reach Saturday's Grand Final is a tribute to the club's early season successes, but also the way in which the injury ravaged squad have hung in to the end, playing some champagne rugby on the way.

Half back Tommy Martyn is out of Saints game with Australia and subsequent Ashes test series. He underwent surgery yesterday (Wednesday) to repair a broken thumb sustained in Saints play off victory over Leeds Rhinos three weeks ago.

Martyn said: "I had to play with the injury against Hull and Wigan because we were so short of players.

"But I was in considerable discomfort and it obviously affected my performance. The thumb needs plating and screwing and I could not play for another six weeks.

"It was a big honour to be selected in the Great Britain squad and it's obviously a huge disappointment to miss the chance of my first Test cap."

SAINTS Past Players will once again be making their annual trip to the Grand Final at Old Trafford this Saturday. Members are reminded that the coach leaves Knowsley Road at 2.15pm. A trip to the second test between Great Britain and Australia at Bolton has been arranged for Saturday, November 17. Members are asked to contact secretary Geoff Pimblett to book a place. Cost for £25 ticket and executive coach will be £30.