St Helens confirm major English NRL signing

St.Helens have announced the signing of winger Lewis Murphy from NRL side Sydney Roosters.

The 22-year-old becomes the Saints’ third new NRL signing for 2025, after Tristan Sailor and Kyle Feldt.

Murphy broke through in 2022, scoring 19 tries in just 21 games for Wakefield Trinity in his debut season, even scoring four tries against his future club in one game.

An ACL injury cut his 2023 season short, but he had signed for Sydney Rosters for 2024.

He was originally contracted through 2025, but has been let go after only making seven appearances for the Roosters’ reserve-grade NSW Cup side.

With St Helens, he has signed a two-year deal, and will join the club for next year.

St Helens confirm major English NRL signing: their reaction

Speaking to saintsrlfc.com about joining the club, Lewis Murphy said: “When I first spoke to Wello [Wellens] and Mike [Rush] they were really welcoming and nice, and I can’t wait to meet up in person.

“As soon as I spoke to Wello he told me straight that at this club, we compete for silverware every year and we need to be up for every single trophy, and I’m ready for that – it’s what I want to do.”

“I’ve loved my time in Australia, and I had to take the shot, I might have never got that opportunity again and I’ve learned so much. I think I’ll benefit from coming over and just growing as a person, being away from home, away from family. I think I’ve grown as an athlete and a rugby player too being in a different environment.

“I’m coming to make my own spot, hopefully, I can earn and keep that wing spot and have some good years there with the team.”

Head coach Paul Wellens said: “Lewis is an exciting young talent, coming through at Wakefield Lewis showed what he is capable of and deservedly got an opportunity to join the Roosters. I know he is a very hard-working and committed young man and desperate to get back to playing to show what he can do.

“We found out to our cost a couple of seasons ago how good he can be when he scored those four tries against us, and I’m sure he is going to thrive in our environment and will be a player that is going to excite fans.”