St Helens have announced that full-back Jack Welsby has signed a new deal to tie him to the Super League club until the end of the 2027 season.
Welsby had another stellar 2023 campaign in which he helped Saints to the play-0ffs, serving as one of the games most electric and exciting players to watch.
For the second year in a row the full-back saw himself in the final three of the Man of Steel voting, highlighting the consistent elite level that he performs at.
News of this contract signing had been teased earlier on when the club posted to their social media, asking on X: “Who fancies an early Christmas present?”
That post was accompanied with an image of a gift wrapped in paper emblazoned with the club badge prompting fans to guess what the news possibly could be.
Many were hopeful that it would relate to Welsby but the recent NRL interest has cast a doubt over his future with the club.
Of late there has been reports of NRL interest with St George Illawarra Dragons keen to recruit Welsby, partly due to the huge appraisal that Australian star Ben Hunt had given to Welsby.
Hunt had seen the full-back on the international stage at the World Cup last year and it was again Welsby’s England performances that have peaked this latest spate of interest, the Saints man starring in England’s series win over Tonga.
Not only did Welsby impress on the field he actually skippered Shaun Wane’s side for the first two games in the absence of George Williams.
It’s now been confirmed that the 22-year-old will be calling the Totally Wicked Stadium home for another four seasons, Welsby committing until the end of the 2027 season.
Welsby spoke on Sky Sports confirming the news explaining that he “couldn’t see myself anywhere else”, reiterating the aim to push for the treble in the upcoming campaign.
A statement on the club website also confirmed the news: “St.Helens R.F.C. is delighted to announce that one of the best and most sought-after rugby league players in the world, Jack Welsby, will remain with the Club until at least the end of the 2027 season!
“A proud product of the Saints Academy, ‘Super Jack’ has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Betfred Super League and a star on the international stage too.
“As has been widely reported, many NRL clubs have expressed interest in the Red V’s full-back, but the 22-year-old has brought an end to any speculation regarding his future by further committing to St.Helens with two more years added onto his existing contract, which now runs until the end of 2027.
“The news of Welsby’s contract extension is one of the biggest retentions in recent memory and fantastic news not only for St.Helens but for the competition of Super League by keeping one of its biggest and best stars for at least the next four seasons playing in the northern hemisphere.”
Speaking about further cementing his future with St.Helens, Jack Welsby told saintsrlfc.com: “I am over the moon glad it’s done with now and I can get my head into Pre-Season and the New Year. It was a decision I had to make and I’m glad that I’ve made the decision that I have, and I’m going to be around all my best mates and a really good club.
“Everyone at St Helens expects to win trophies, whether it’s the fans, the players, the coaches, or the backroom staff. Everyone’s expecting for you to go out and win at a weekend and then win on the big night at Old Trafford. That sort of expectation, it’s hard sometimes, but it’s what I want, I want that pressure and that’s where I feel like I play my best rugby.”
The extension of ‘Super Jack’ continuing to play in the Betfred Super League is a huge coup for the competition, and Welsby himself reaffirms it will bring the best out of him.
“The NRL’s a massive competition and everyone sees it as that, but I believe that Super League can be that and we’ve just got to work towards it. Sometimes the speculation that comes with the NRL and stuff is not just as simple as going to sign at a different club, it’s a lot of things. It’s on the other side of the world, it’s tough and the timing’s got to be right – it’s got to be perfect. But for me, it was always going to be St Helens.”
On his desires with the club, Welsby said: “Win. I want to win things again. I think last year was a massive disappointment and the way it ended for Robes (James Roby) and Louie (McCarthy-Scarsbrook), two of the greatest players this Club has ever seen, was a horrible feeling and I don’t want to feel it again. So, we have got to sort of pick ourselves up, work hard this Pre-Season and find the results.”
The news of the Saints’ number #1 staying with the Club until at least the end of 2027 will be well received by our supporters and in a direct message to our fans Welsby said: “Thank you. We were a bit disappointed last year, but we want to bring silverware back to this town and you have got to get behind the boys. We enjoy having you here, we love playing on Friday nights and Saturday evenings or whatever it is, as long as there’s a packed house at the Totally Wicked Stadium it doesn’t get much better.”
Paul Wellens added: “This is excellent news for the Club, and something we have always prided ourselves on at Saints is bringing through young players into our team with our Academy systems and Jack has done that to go on to be one of the best players in the competition.
“It’s harder in the current climate to keep your best players, but it is something that Saints has had real success with. Jack now becomes the latest of a long line of players who have committed their long-term futures here.
“He is an absolute pleasure to work with, that is why everyone involved at St.Helens is so delighted he has chosen to commit his future with us for the next four years. For a 22-year old he’s mature beyond his years and a real leader within our group despite being so young.”
