Jack Welsby being tempted to the NRL as Australian international pushes for move

St Helens will have been rocked by the news that star player Jack Welsby is in talks with St George Illawarra Dragons ahead of the 2024 NRL season.

This is because the Dragons could lose a key player in the shape of Junior Amone. Amone was found guilty in court of a hammer attack alongside his father. His father was given a prison sentence and Amone was given a community sentence and is set to face 30 hours community service as a correctional service.

This could leave a massive hole in the side one the club want to fill with Jack Welsby. This comes after he was recommended by St George star and Australian international Ben Hunt to Head Coach Shane Flanagan.

Flanagan said to the Daily Telegraph: “In the World Cup, he was outstanding. Even Benny Hunt said he was hard to handle when Australia played them.

“The challenge is getting some of those English players out of their country. Once they’re here they love it but getting them here is the challenge.”

This comes after one of the NRL’s newest British recruits spoke very highly in the shape of Will Pryce.

“Obviously, probably the best player in Super League would be Jack Welsby,” Pryce said. “I think he won four grand finals back-to-back. He won them the grand final against Wigan in 2020. He is a great player and a really good competitor.

“I am sure one day, if Saints manage to let him go, he will be one to look out for.”

The fullback’s agent has been contacted by St George Illawarra and talks have begun and it remains to be seen whether Welsby will make the move down under.

St George believe that they can acquire Welsby despite the fact he is contracted to the club until the 2025 season. This gives St Helens a strong control of the situation and they could at least receive a fee for Welsby if he does leave the club.

But it would be a major problem for the club who have been slow when it comes to signing a centre to replace Will Hopoate for the 2024 season.