Paul Wellens lists four choices to replace Lewis Dodd at St Helens

Following the news that Lewis Dodd will leave St Helens to join South Sydney Rabbitohs, Paul Wellens has a decision to make. Dodd leaves a sizable hole in the St Helens side. He has been an automatic pick since making his Super League debut. Most famously, Dodd kicked the winning drop goal in the 2023 World Club Challenge.

However, Wellens has several options to replace Dodd, which include looking externally.

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside today, he has revealed what those options are.

St Helens looking at four options to replace Dodd

Wellens has stated that Saints are due to begin discussions on how to replace Dodd, now that his move has been confirmed. The Red Vee boss said, “We’re due to sit down as a club, as we do quite often, and have those discussions around what we see as the best fit.”

He then went on to discuss the four different options which the Saints can choose from.

Sign a direct replacement

Wellens confirmed that the Red Vee will discuss potential transfer targets to replace Dodd.

He stated: “One of the options is to go out and sign another seven as a direct replacement”.

Wellens gave no further details on whether that replacement would come from Super League or the NRL but it is definitely an exciting prospect for Saints fans.

Move Moses Mbye to seven

“We’ve also got Moses, who’s played in the seven shirt,” Wellens added, referring to Moses Mbye, who has covered the position this season. The versatile Mbye can cover scrum half, standoff, full back, centre and hooker.

He joined Saints from St George Illawarra ahead of the 2023 season and has become a crucial member of the side. If Mbye continues to impress, Wellens’ solution may lie closer to home.

Move Jonny Lomax to seven

Similarly, Wellens has suggested another internal replacement may fill Dodd’s spot. Dodd’s replacement may come in the shape of the experienced, Jonny Lomax.

Wellens explained: “We’ve got the ability to move Johnny Lomax into seven, as well as like you say, sign a one or a six”. This option would still involve St Helens dipping into the transfer market. But instead of directly replacing Dodd, they would open their options wider.

If there is a shortage of top-quality scrum halves on the market, this could be a practical solution for Wellens.

Promote an academy product

Finally, Wellens suggested that Saints may choose to replace Dodd from their own academy. The Saints academy is one of the best in the game. It has produced several of Super League’s biggest stars, including Dodd.

Wellens namechecked two potential stars of the future when discussing Dodd’s replacement.

“We’ve also got to be respectful of the fact that we’ve got a couple of young half-backs in our junior system.

“One, Will Roberts, who’s just returned from a serious injury. He’s a very, very good young player who we don’t want to stamp in the way of.

“And also, George Whitby, who’s in the 19s, who will, in the short space of time, come full-time with us as well” Wellens explained.

However Wellens decides to replace Dodd, it seems like exciting times lay ahead for Saints fans.