Former St Helens man Jon Wilkin has shared his input on the dilemma that head coach Paul Rowley faces regarding the return of full-back Jack Welsby amid the scintillating form that incumbent Tristan Sailor finds himself in.
Tristan Sailor was a key talking point in 2025 with Paul Wellens never truly finding the best way to utilise the NRL signing, however, his best rugby did appear to come at full-back when Welsby was out injured.
Paul Rowley drew his line in the sand early by handing Sailor the number six shirt with St Helens’ whole pre-season based on Welsby at one and Sailor in the halves, however, the England international dislocated his shoulder in round one.
Whilst Harry Robertson was utilised at full-back at times, it’s clear that Tristan Sailor has made the shirt his own but Jack Welsby’s return to the 21-man squad for tonight’s game against York Knights has created a big dilemma.
Does Paul Rowley keep the in-form man in his position or does he switch things up to accommodate Welsby at his natural position, something that was his initial plan.
Former St Helens star Jon Wilkin was asked the same question on Sky Sports’ coverage of Hull KR versus Castleford, and he answered unequivocally: “It is [a big conundrum], but I think Tristan Sailor has got some momentum and has got going.”
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Where should St Helens play Jack Welsby?
Explaining why he felt that, Wilkin put it down to Welsby’s versatility as he called on the Englishman to effectively play a free role where all he’s tasked with doing is to be heavily involved.
Wilkin argued: “I think Jack Welsby could easily play in the halves. He could easily play loose forward. All I would like from Jack Welsby, in any team he’s in, is a high rate of involvement.
“As many involvements as possible, as many touches of the ball as possible, and in a really unstructured way.
“In a game that is so copy and paste – everybody does the same: block shape, block shape, block shape – Jack Welsby, Lachie Miller, certain players just pop out of that and he’s one of those that can just do things and create things when it doesn’t appear to be much on.
“I’m just excited to see him back, wherever he plays.”
Whether that’s the way Paul Rowley goes is to be seen with the Saints boss facing a number of other dilemmas as bodies slowly return from their early season injury crisis.
