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St Helens signing makes Bevan French comparison with weight of expectations outlined

- 06/01/2024 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League 2025 Promo Shoot - The Stage Studio, Leeds University, Leeds - St Helens, Tristan Sailor

St Helens’ star signing Tristan Sailor has compared his style of play to that of Bevan French with the NRL recruit making bold claims about how Saints will play in 2025.

The Red Vee limped into the play-offs both figuratively and literally in 2024 with injuries creating a collapse in form that saw the club narrowly squeak into the top six.

Whilst injuries were a major role in the 2024 struggles, the team’s attack often found it hard to get going in the competitive games whilst acting as a flat-track bully against weaker sides.

Saints scored the fourth-most points in Super League with an average of just over 22 points per game, however, that was skewed massively by 40+ point displays against London, Castleford and Hull FC each on two occasions with their other 40-point haul coming against Leeds Rhinos.

Their highest points tally against a team who made the top six actually came in the play-offs during their 23-22 loss to Warrington Wolves, highlighting the need to recruit a genuine star who can unlock defences. Enter Tristan Sailor.

St Helens signed Sailor from Brisbane Broncos and have brought across his attacking coach Lee Briers to help sharpen the club’s offence. They’ve also shifted Jonny Lomax to seven with Sailor taking the iconic six shirt, something that he is honoured about.

Speaking on the Super League website, Sailor said: “The six jersey is special and while I might not be as well versed yet on the entire history of the club because it goes so far back – just knowing Jonny (Lomax) has worn this – he’s a legend of the club.

“I realise the expectation that carries with it. I’m hoping to do the best I can and hopefully bring a new era and period of number 6 to the club.”

St Helens star makes Bevan French comparison

- 10/01/2025 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League - St Helens Media Day - Cowley International College, St Helens, England - Tristan Sailor.

Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com

Sailor is one of three NRL signings that St Helens have made with wingers Kyle Feldt and Lewis Murphy, formerly of Wakefield Trinity, being the other two signings but Sailor has given his verdict on the style of football in Super League – and he thinks he will fit in nicely.

He explained: “I didn’t properly start watching Super League until I thought about signing over here, so after that I watched a few games. It’s so different to the NRL, but I’m really excited to learn the intricacies of that and how the game works over here.”

On his own play-style, Sailor said: “I think I’m definitely an attacking player, so I’ll bring that speed and footwork to the club as well as that off-the-cuff play.

“I like to play with a bit of risk because I’m a confident player. It might not come off all the time, but when it does, well, you’ve seen that style of play with the likes of Bevan French, Jai Field and Matt Dufty – and they are people who I grew up playing with.”

Adding his speed into a spine that has the tactical nouse of Jonny Lomax, consistency and class of Daryl Clark at nine and the game-breaking ability of Jack Welsby is something that’s “going to be really special” according to Sailor, and it’s hard to disagree with him.

On that play-style and his mentions of French, Field and Dufty, Sailor said: “It translates really well to this game. I feel like I can bring something similar, and it’ll probably be more effective in Saints – we have such a good forward pack and such a good team in general. If we play on the back of that forward pack and with Jonny (Lomax), Jack (Welsby) and Daz (Clark) too; then it’s going to be really special.

“It’ll pay off more than it won’t,” he boldly declared.

“Brand is synonymous with winning” – Why Tristan Sailor joined Saints

- 06/01/2024 - Rugby League - Betfred Super League 2025 Promo Shoot - The Stage Studio, Leeds University, Leeds - St Helens, Jack Welsby, George Delaney, Tristan Sailor, Daryl Clark

Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com

The playmaker also explained how his move came about as he noted the St Helens’ influences he had Down Under, whilst speaking on the club’s status in rugby league generally.

He said: “Over in Australia I’d crossed paths with a few people who have played for St Helens before, such as legend Jammer (James Graham) and then Lee Briers, who grew up on Knowsley Road. I heard from them about how good it is at Saints.

“St Helens are pretty well known for being such a good club and having a successful culture anyway. I’d heard of Saints and their success – they came over and won the World Club Challenge in 2023 and everyone knows about them winning those four Grand Finals in a row.

“This is something that drew me to the club and made me want to come over here and win some big games. I guess that’s a credit to the club and the culture that they’ve built.

“Their brand is synonymous with winning.”

The 26-year-old also gave an insight into his chat with chairman Eamon McManus, stating: “When I came over, our chairman Eamonn (McManus) said there are two expectations – to win trophies and to beat Wigan!”

St Helens will first have a chance to beat Wigan in the Good Friday derby in Round Eight, a fixture that Saints won last year.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. jaybs

    January 31, 2025 at 10:11 am

    We WILL wait and see, another BEVAN FRENCH, not convinced!

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