Leeds Rhinos winger Ash Handley has heaped praise on St Helens star Jack Welsby, saying he’s ‘going to be one of the best’.
Speaking on the BBC’s Super League Show, the England International said: “Just everything seems to bounce his way. I mean unbelievable player”
He added: “You make your own luck and you know the confidence he’s got, he’s going to be one of the best I think.”
His comments echo those of Phil Clarke, who said during the Saints victory over Handley’s Leeds Rhinos side on Friday night “if he’s not the best player in this competition then I don’t know what I’m watching.”
“He’s head and shoulders above everybody else for me, in attack and defence,” Clarke continued. “His competitive nature and the skill that he demonstrates.”
Clarke also added: “His ability to influence a game in the key moments, he accelerates from everyone else, even Ash Handley can’t get close to him.”
Handley’s side again saw defeat to St Helens on Friday night, however the Leeds Rhinos man was full of praise for the victors during his interview on the Super League Show.
“Saints are one of them teams that they’ve got that DNA,” remarked Handley. “They’ve got that core group of players that can pull them through.”
He continued: “When you add a bit of excellence on the back of that like Jack Welsby as well, who had a great game against us.”
Friday night was the third time the sides have met this season, following last years Grand Final. Leeds got the better of the Saints the first time, thanks to a Blake Austin drop goal; however St Helens have edged the last two contests. Lewis Dodd’s drop goal in Golden Point was the difference between the sides at Headingley, and then a Welsby double guided the Red Vee to victory on Friday in a tight affair.
