St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has confirmed that star full-back Jack Welby has headed to hospital after the defeat to Warrington Wolves.
Saints lost 24-14 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium with the first of their points coming at 18-0 down. That try was scored by Welsby but the England international injured himself in the process, leaving the field holding his arm.
It’s now been confirmed by head coach Paul Rowley that Welsby has dislocated his shoulder with the St Helens boss speaking post-match on Sky Sports.
“It’s a shoulder injury, so I think he’s dislocated his shoulder,” Rowley confirmed.
“He’s gone off to hospital struggling to get that back in. Not a good one, unfortunately.
“A little bit of bad luck to start the season but they’re challenges that we’ve got to try and overcome.”
It’s more than just a little bit of bad luck for the Red Vee given the fact they lost captain Matty Lees to a knee injury in last week’s Challenge Cup tie, something that is expected to rule him out for up 10-12 weeks.
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St Helens lacking desperation, claims Rowley
As for the actual game, Rowley paid credit to the victors Warrington who he labelled as ‘desperate’, particularly in defence but also in their carries as the Wire pack got on top of St Helens.
Rowley said: “Watching the game last night at York and Hull KR, I think you used the words on Sky desperate, and I think Warrington were very desperate today and they deserved the victory.
“We dipped our toe in the water defensively, which is very unlike Saints and our team so there was maybe a little bit of overconfidence there. Warrington came to play and they were the most aggressive side and did the fundamentals better than us and they got what they deserved in the end.”
Speaking further on his side’s struggles, he added: “I don’t think we moved well enough defensively. On the back of that and going behind, I thought we we started pushing passes and it’s not that that’s going to get you the results.
“It’s about running strong and creating some one-on-ones and getting ruck speed, which ultimately with the way it’s been reffed at the minute, which is a good thing, the ruck speed and that dominance is going to prove pivotal and it did last night and it did tonight as well.”
St Helens will take on Leigh Leopards next up with Leigh beating Leeds Rhinos in Friday night’s other 8 pm kick-off.
Cai Taylor-Wray dazzles as Warrington beat Saints at home ✨ pic.twitter.com/Cxc8ZJ55RS
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 13, 2026
