Former St Helens man Leon Pryce is backing George Whitby to keep his place in Paul Wellens’ side for the full season. Whitby has started the Saints‘ last two games in place of Jonny Lomax, with the youngster getting the nod over the veteran on Friday to play in the Good Friday derby against Wigan Warriors.
The 18-year-old was one of St Helens’ bright sparks in defeat at the Brick Community Stadium with his mature performance seeing him come in for heaps of praise. It was a showing that followed up his player of the match display last week against Wakefield Trinity and Wellens would certainly have to think twice before taking him out of the team ahead of this week’s game against Warrington Wolves.
Pryce knows all about what it takes to play in the halves for St Helens, having made 160 appearances for the club in his playing days. And, in Whitby, he sees a player who can provide the catalyst the Saints need.
Leon Pryce waxes lyrical about St Helens youngster George Whitby
“Very, very impressed, I thought he was outstanding today,” Pryce said about Whitby when speaking to Sky Sports after the game. “The young man just came on and just played his game.
“He just looked confident, that show and go was unbelievable and he got unlucky with the pass. He made a kick from the touchline at a really important part of the game, his short kicking game was fantastic. I’m really impressed with his all-round game.”
He continued: “I’m majorly impressed by him, I think it’s a bright spark for St Helens, they’re looking for players and they need that little bit of quality.
“Sometimes it’s the young boys that you’ve not heard of at the start of the season that come in unexpectedly, they can lift the team, lift the crowd, lift the fans. He’s a home-grown talent and I think he’s going to stay in the team the full season now for me.”
🗣️ “It just gave me goosebumps”
George Whitby on his third Super League appearance being against Wigan Warriors 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ZYL9qyYUUv
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) April 18, 2025
