St Helens star Jack Welsby has routinely been linked with a move to the NRL and that has been echoed again by Australian publications.
Welsby has become the biggest name in Super League with the fullback continually catching interest from NRL clubs because of his performances in the 2022 World Cup but especially his Man of the Match display in the 2023 World Club Challenge.
Now the Daily Telegraph are reporting that the fullback is in discussions with St George Illawarra Dragons over a potential move which would rock Super League to its very core.
Head Coach Shane Flanagan has even confirmed that they have expressed an interest in the fullback, who he also wants to use in the halves, and have talked with the players’ agent ahead of a move.
The Saints should have him until the end of the 2025 Super League season. This is because his contract is until the end of that campaign leaving the club with a big decision as suggested by the Daily Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph has argued that the Saints could accept a transfer fee for Welsby. They could very well do what Wigan did with Harry Smith and extend this deal but if Welsby wants to make the move perhaps accepting a fee could be smart.
When Welsby signed until 2025, he said: “It’s another dream come true. I have always wanted to be at this Club, ever since I first joined, I only ever saw myself playing for Saints.
“I have only ever known this group of players I am playing with at the minute and the likes of James Roby and Jonny Lomax have had such a big impact on me and on this Club as a whole.
“When I was given the number one shirt last year, it was a big deal for myself. I might not have said it, but I have always seen myself playing at full back. I have been very fortunate to have the likes of Paul Wellens and Jonny Lomax around me and I have learnt a lot so far.
“I am by no means the complete player yet, I have a long way to go and I am looking forward to the years ahead.”
The 21-year-old stole the headlines following his last second try in the Club’s dramatic 2020 Betfred Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan. He went from strength to strength in 2021 following a string of impressive performances – most notably two hat-tricks in Saints’ Super League victories over Hull FC.
Welsby, who signed for Saints Academy in 2014 after playing amateur rugby for Shevington and Blackbrook, was named Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year for 2021 and took home Player and Players’ Player of the Year trophies at the Club’s end of season awards.
His meteoric rise was rewarded after he was given the number 1 shirt ahead of the 2022 season and since then he has led the Saints to Grand Final glory in 2022 and scored a try against Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge as they won the world title which sparked the NRL interest.
