The former St Helens and Great Britain scrum-half last year brought out his autobiography, "Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal", in which he described himself as the "wild man of rugby league".

He insists those days are gone but that has not stopped the cynics claiming Hull head coach Richard Agar handed the captaincy to his controversial close-season signing in order to keep him on the straight and narrow.

"I've just said that in an interview," says Long, his naivety betraying his 14 years' experience in the game. "I don't know really, I don't think so. That's all in the past.

"With the way I've conducted myself since I've been here, I must be doing something right. I've been well behaved. I get on with Rich pretty well."

Long, who quit Saints after they offered him only a new 12-month deal, admits there was some hesitancy when he was given the chance to take over the captaincy from Hull-born forward Lee Radford but he has been delighted with the response from his new team-mates.

"The first thing I said was 'what about Radders?' but Rich said he wants somebody who plays 80 minutes," explains Long.

"I was a bit worried about Radders but, when it was announced, he came and said 'congratulations'. We all had a squeeze."

Radford graciously accepted the decision, saying: "I won't tell you a lie by saying I'm not disappointed because I am - but the reason for it makes sense.

"I'm going to be playing a lot of front row this year and probably be stinted on and off the field whereas when Sean is likely to be an 80-minute player. It's important the captain stays on the pitch at all times."