Paul Wellens admits York Knights man Levi Edwards is someone St Helens are paying close attention to as they consider their recruitment options. The Saints have been linked with a move for Edwards, who has caught the eye with his performances in the Championship this season.
Edwards started his career with Leeds Rhinos, emerging through the youth ranks at Headingley but failed to make a senior appearance before moving on to York at the start of the 2023 season. The 21-year-old has seen his progress stunted due to a major injury, but after missing the entirety of last season, the outside back has returned to action this year, with three tries coming in five appearances in all competitions.
“He’s someone that we had a conversation about,” Wellens said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Challenge Cup clash with St Helens. “He’s a talented young player who has only just come back from a lengthy injury and it’s great for him, before recent weeks, to start to string some games together at York.
“We’ve watched a number of those games, including the game against our dual reg club Halifax. There’s a lot to like about him as a player but no further conversations have taken place other than that.
“It’s not something ruled in or ruled out. We have conversations and if they happen down the track, they may happen and he’s a player that has been of interest but we’ll see where things are down the track.”
Meanwhile, St Helens outside back Ben Davies has been linked with a move to struggling Salford Red Devils in recent days. However, with injuries piling up in the backs at the Totally Wicked Stadium, that one won’t be happening for the time being.
“I spoke at length with Ben and I know I’ve fielded questions in the past, Ben is at the stage of his career now where he needs to be playing regular,” Wellens said. “I’ve always said to him that if we can’t provide him with those opportunities, we’d be open to him getting that elsewhere.
“Where we’re at in the here and now, given our situation in the outside backs, Ben being with us is more important at this point in time.”
The reports came after Saints made the decision to send Jonny Vaughan on loan to Salford for the rest of the season with the versatile man getting a debut for the club last weekend at Wigan Warriors.
“Jonny is a very confident young man, a very assured young man and he will go in there and see the situation for what it is and that’s for him to get regular playing opportunities at Super League level,” Wellens said when asked what Vaughan can take out of the loan. “He’s a fantastic young kid and he’s someone I’ve known since he was eight or nine and I certainly wish the best for him, I hope he makes a success of the time he’s there because he deserves it.”
