Incoming St Helens boss Kevin Walters has dropped a major hint over the future of Jack Welsby, in terms of both his future and role at the club.
Welsby is currently contracted to the Red Vee for season 2027, meaning he will be able to speak to clubs in the NRL from November 1 of this year over a contract for 2028.
The England international has struggled for form over the past two seasons, with his drop off coinciding with the arrival of Tristan Sailor from Brisbane Broncos.
Both players are superstars in their own right, but the problem Saints have had is making them work together. They both prefer to play full-back, and neither can seemingly perform well in other areas on the pitch.
Doubt was cast over Welsby after Sailor signed a three-year deal earlier this year. That suggested that Saints had made up their mind on who they wanted to go with long-term, but Walters has now revealed that Welsby definitely has a place at the club.
Speaking on his own podcast, The Inside Ball, Walters answered some fan questions, the majority of which came from curious Saints fans.
One of the big talking points was Welsby’s future, but the new boss assured the Red Vee that their star man is staying put.
“Are St Helens letting Jack Welsby go to November 1?” Co-host Ben Dobbin asked Walters.
“No, he won’t be,” Walters replied. Dobbin asked a follow-up question: “He’ll be signed?”
“I believe so,” said Walters.
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Jack Welsby’s role at St Helens becomes clearer after Kevin Walters comments
With Welsby now set to stay at the Brewdog Stadium, the next piece of the puzzle is: where does he fit?
Walters has already answered that question, insisting that the 25-year-old will remain as the Saints’ number one.
It is a dilemma that both Paul Wellens and Paul Rowley couldn’t work out, but the Kangaroos boss seems to already know what he is going to do in regards to the spine next season.
Dobbin again read out the question: “Ask Kevvie, who is [St Helens] the fullback next season, please?”
“Jack Welsby,” Walters replied confidently.
With the full-back spot now locked in and Sean O’Sullivan joining from the NRL, spine numbers one and seven are all but locked in. That leaves Sailor and Harry Robertson to battle it out for the six spot, whilst Daryl Clark’s hooker spot is under threat following the reported arrival of Tom Starling from Canberra Raiders.
