St Helens sign star player to new two-year deal

St Helens have confirmed that they have re-signed England international Alex Walmsley to a new deal that will keep him with the club until the end of the 2026 season.

Walmsley was one of several St Helens stars that was set to go off contract at the end of the season but the Red Vee have remedied that by securing the prop’s services for a further two seasons.

It’s a massive win for the club who are expected to lose fellow veteran Tommy Makinson at the end of the season but securing Walmsley ensures their pack will remain among the best in the business.

He has already made 278 appearances for the club and now looks set to fly past the 300 tally for the club, something that will place him in very special company.

The club announced the signing via their website with the following statement: “St.Helens R.F.C. is delighted to announce that England international prop Alex Walmsley has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the Club until at least the end of the 2026 season!”

Tying down star players is something that the biggest clubs do best, as seen by Wigan Warriors and their recent extension of Bevan French.

St Helens forward “excited” for the next two and a half years

Walmsley is into his fourteenth season for St Helens but this new deal ensures that he will play on for at least his sixteenth season and news of his new deal is a great birthday present for the forward who turned 34 on Wednesday.

Speaking to the club’s website, Walmsley said: “I’m really happy, it’s been something that’s been in the pipeline for a while so to get it finalised, sorted, and announced I’m pleased. I am happy and excited for the next two and a half years.

“14 years at Saints is a long time and I’ve had some fantastic times over those over the years so far, and I am sure there’s going to be some great times still to come.”

He even explained that he thinks he could play beyond his current contract, something that would replicate the feat of fellow England international forward Chris Hill who penned a new deal last season that will see him play until he is at least 37.

Walmsley explained: “I signed professionally quite late, I didn’t come into the professional game until I was 22, and I feel like I’ve got a good few years left in me.

“I still believe when this contract’s up, I still think I’ll be in a great position to continue playing, but that’s something we’ll discuss further down the line. I know I had twelve months at Batley, but if I were to become a one-club man at Super League level, I don’t think there is any other club you would rather do it at than St Helens.”

What did Paul Wellens have to say about Alex Walmsley?

Having played together, both Alex Walmsley and Paul Wellens are set to be united for a further two years with the confirmation of this deal and Walmsley spoke about how Wellens’ influence was a key reason for why he will remain at St Helens.

He said: “Wello [Paul Wellens] is great, what you see in Wello as a coach is what you saw a player, he expects a lot, he demands a lot, but those expectations and demands come off his own merit; because he was willing to do all that.

“I think having someone who knows what the passion of the town is, he’s a local lad and knows what is expected by the town. He brings that passion into training and into games, he’s hungry to see the Club be successful.

“It is not just about him being a coach, it’s about what he knows the town expects, wants, and needs. That passion feeds into us as players and hopefully, we can represent that out on the field.”

The compliments were returned by Wellens, who spoke with great praise for Walmsley, noting: “Alex has been a fantastic story ever since he came into the Club, his journey wasn’t the conventional one through an Academy system, he played university rugby and then joined Batley before coming to St.Helens.

“He is a shining example for players who don’t go through the youth systems that there is still another path. Since joining us he has been nothing but exemplary in everything he has done, a real talisman and a huge reason behind the success we’ve had in our recent history.

“When teams plan to play against St.Helens I would invariably think that Alex Walmsley gets mentioned in most team meetings because of how unique he is, how destructive he can be. We work with Alex day-to-day, and he is a diligent and caring person, who looks out for his teammates. Everyone has a huge amount of respect for him as a person and not just as a player.”

Saints are in action this weekend when they face Warrington Wolves with broadcast details of that game and all other rugby league games on TV here.