St Helens and England star signs long-term deal

St Helens star Joe Batchelor, who is currently away with the England camp for the Rugby League World Cup, has signed a new three-year contract at the Saints.

The 27-year-old second-rower, who joined the club initially on a three-year contract from York City Knights back in 2019, will now stay at the Totally Wicked Stadium into the 2025 season.

After a slow start to his career at Saints, Batchelor has been a revelation. His breakout year was 2021 under Kristian Woolf, making 22 appearances and scoring three tries, as the club tasted a third Grand Final success in a row, beating Catalans at Old Trafford.

In season 2022, he was handed the number 12 shirt by Woolf as he went on to make another 29 appearances and had his best try-scoring season to date, scoring 12 times in a lethal edge partnership with Jonny Lomax.

An England debut followed back in June against the Combined Nations All-Stars and he was recently named in Shaun Wane’s England Rugby League World Cup squad and will hope to continue his strong form.

Batchelor told the offical St Helens website: “I’m absolutely delighted to be staying I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be playing my rugby so to stay for another three years was an absolute no brainer and I’m absolutely delighted.”

Head Coach Paul Wellens added: “It’s great that Joe’s signed with us for another three years.

“We rewarded him with the number 12 shirt at the start of the season after working hard to force his way into the team back in 2021. He really took his opportunity and improved on that again last season. It’s really pleasing for us as a club to see Joe’s form rewarded England selection, proof that it’s not only us that see the value he brings both on and off the field.

“He’s a great player to work with, he epitomises everything we value as a team and has earned every success he’s had. His re-signing is a great boost for us ahead of the 2023 campaign.”