Rugby League Lions: 'If a player can say they’re struggling, people know it’s ok to ask for help.'

Ahead of Saturday’s third Ashes Test at Headingley - the last Rugby League fixture in Movember 2025 - seven legends of League came together to reflect on their careers, and on sport’s unique ability to foster lifetime friendships and support networks.

Gareth Ellis, Andy Gregory, Jim Mills, Adrian Morley, Jamie Peacock, Paul Sculthorpe and Graham Steadman were all Rugby League Lions, with or without the capital L – having toured the southern hemisphere with Great Britain, England or Wales, and also in the courage and toughness they showed on the field.

But when they were brought together by Movember and Rugby League Cares, they spoke movingly about the importance of the camaraderie forged in their playing careers.

“There’s something special about Rugby League relationships,” said Ellis, explaining how he would always be grateful for the thoughtfulness of Sculthorpe in making him feel comfortable in his first international camp.

“None of us are perfect,” said Peacock, who led Great Britain to their last Test victory over Australia in Sydney in 2006. “If you’re strong and resilient that defines you as a player.”

Sculthorpe, the only player to be crowned Man of Steel in consecutive seasons, added: “Rugby League’s obviously a tough sport, so if a Rugby League player can say they’re struggling, that goes a long way in terms of how many people can be inspired, to know it’s ok to ask for help.”

In the true spirit of Movember, the seven Lions then compared moustaches from their playing days.

“My wife thought she’d married Burt Reynolds and ended up with Benny Hill,” joked Mills, the infamously fiery Welsh enforcer who is now so active in staying in touch with his former team-mates – and even some adversaries.

Steadman, whose class at full-back adorned another famous Lions victory in Australia in Melbourne in 1992, sported a ‘tash for the majority of his playing career – but he nominated his captain that day in Melbourne, Garry Schofield, as his favourite Rugby League moustache.

Movember are the official mental fitness partner of the 2025 Rugby League Ashes, using the spotlight of international sport to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health.

That produced an unforgettable moment before last Saturday’s second Test at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium, as the 52,000-capacity crowd were invited to join a moment against silence – and responded noisily, to show their awareness and support for the Movember campaign and the 60 men we lose to suicide each hour, every hour across the world, in front of a BBC One audience of almost one million.

Movember’s world-leading mental fitness programme Ahead of the Game has made an impact across the UK. Designed by Movember and implemented by Rugby League Cares across England and Wales, the sport’s independent charity, it has already reached more than 48,000 young players, coaches, and parents nationwide.

Through interactive workshops, young players, parents and coaches learn to recognise signs of mental ill-health, start conversations, and access help when needed. It’s received incredible feedback from clubs, parents, and young athletes alike.

Whether you’re growing your first moustache or your fifteenth, every moustache makes a difference. Funds raised during Movember fuel programmes like Ahead of the Game, giving young people across the UK the skills and confidence to talk about mental health and support each other when it matters most.

Raise funds. Save lives. Sign up or donate now at movember.com.