St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has spoken on why second-row rising star Jake Davies has not been a mainstay in the team in recent weeks, despite huge fan clamour for the 20-year-old to play.
Davies, who only turned 20 in late May, has made a total of nine appearances in Super League this year though he missed out in the Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors and the loss to Castleford Tigers, whilst also being a bench option in three of his last four appearances.
Thrust into the action due to a host of injuries in the pack, Davies grabbed his chance and ran with it earlier this season when he played from the bench in the round five win over Toulouse, in what was just his fourth senior appearance for Saints and his second in Super League.
The then-teenager would score in four straight games against Catalans, Hull FC, Wakefield and York, which made his omission against Wigan Warriors all the more strange but speaking ahead of Thursday’s defeat to Warrington, Paul Rowley explained why.
“He’s only a young lad. He’s come from absolutely nowhere,” Rowley admitted on Sky Sports’ pre-match coverage.
“I think with any young players, and we’ve got more than most in our team, so Jake Davies came from nowhere. He got a great introduction, a few things off in one of his games we picked up on.”
Brad Arthur commits to Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR lose back-to-back and Captain’s Challenge rule debated – Click here to listen to this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
St Helens protecting Jake Davies
Explaining why minutes became more limited in recent weeks, Rowley pointed to the experience in the position, stating: “We’ve got great back rowers at the club, and it’s like everything else really. Shane Wright, Whittles [Matt Whitley], Siro [Curtis Sironen], he’s got some competition there.
“A young kid coming in just doesn’t command the spot, and you’ll see that in any team across Super League. When the starters are in, then you’re going to pick the starters.”
Rowley conceded that leaving the 20-year-old out has been tough but he explained that it’s more about protection of Davies than a reflection on his performances, with Thursday’s being solid as he made 32 tackles, third only to Joe Shorrocks (47) and Daryl Clark (45).
The St Helens boss admitted: “It’s tough to leave him out, and I want to put him in, but there’s a progression, there’s a development, there’s a protection of him as well.
“We don’t want to wait until he has a stinker to leave him out. We make sure he’s dipped in when he’s ready.”
Warrington Wolves
Super League switch looms as Warrington Wolves half-back exits club
