Jack Welsby has agreed an extension with St Helens until the 2027 Super League season which in theory should keep the fullback at the club for the next four Super League seasons.
However, it may not bring about an end to the saga like some fans are hoping. Welsby himself described the decision as “a long drawn out process” hinting at how close he came to making the switch.
Furthermore, he recently said he wanted to test himself in the NRL so there is clearly a desire in Welsby to go and test himself.
We have seen in the past how hefty transfer fees can secure Super League players and Welsby is no different. Though he is now seemingly certain to remain at St Helens in 2024 it doesn’t stop an NRL club from offering a fee at the end of 2024 or 2025.
This may be the main purpose behind the new contract, to secure Welsby’s immediate future but also to ensure that when he does leave the club can leverage a major transfer fee for the fullback.
Either way, this is a major victory for St Helens and for Super League for the time being. Chairman of St Helens Eamonn McManus commented on the fantastic news and said: “This is the perfect Christmas present to all Saints’ supporters.
“Jack is a generational talent and it’s hard to comprehend what he has already achieved at the age of 22. Committing long-term to St Helens is a massive boost to us now and going forward.
“Jack is in a position to become one of the Club’s all-time greats and we know that he will be a key component and driving force in our future success.”
2023 has seen Welsby further cement his spot as one of the best and brightest in all of rugby league, with the year beginning with St.Helens’ incredible victory over Penrith Panthers to win the Club’s third World Title. The star full-back was vital to the success with a try, an assist and some astonishing goal-line defence earning him the Player of the Match award.
Jack’s form during the 2023 season has been highly consistent, scoring 15 tries and setting up a further 32 for his teammates. For a third straight year and in a third different position he was selected for the Dream Team, and for the second season running Welsby was shortlisted for the Man of Steel Award.
To close out yet another memorable year, Jack became England’s youngest captain at just 22 years of age, leading out the national side in the opening two Tests against Tonga which England won, and featured in the third and final Test to complete a series whitewash.
Welsby has now put pen to paper on a new contract extension, seeing off a lot of external interest and committing himself to the Club he has been with since 2014.
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