St Helens star Jack Welsby makes key contract admission

St Helens star Jack Welsby has been routinely linked with a move to the NRL.

This started with his performances in the Rugby League World Cup for England but the interest accelerated after his performance as Man of the Match in the World Club Challenge win over Penrith Panthers.

It was this special game that Welsby reflected upon with James Graham on the Bye Round podcast comparing the current Saints side to the 2006 treble winners.

Welsby said: “To be fair, I was pretty young in 2006 so I can’t remember the style of rugby or anything like that, I just know the accolades of what they won.

“There’s going to be arguments for each case but I think we’re one of, if not the best, St. Helens groups that we’ve had.

“I think the way we’ve won everything over a four-year period. There’s a Challenge Cup in there, a League Leaders Shield in there, Four Grand Finals, a World Cup Challenge. I think it’s hard to argue now. I think that was a big motivating factor that if we do this, there’s no arguing anymore.”

But as he stirs NRL interest, the questions remains: will Welsby make the move to the NRL?

Welsby has confirmed he will likely be seeing out his contract until at least the end of 2025.

He said: “Like I said, I’m still a contracted to St Helens and it’d be a hard place to leave because I love it there so much. I’m not saying that’s something that I’m looking at doing, but yeah, it is an interest in it. You know yourself how alluring it is.

“I just want to be happy, I want my family to be happy, I want my mum and dad, my girlfriend, just to be happy and enjoy me playing rugby. They get a lot out of coming and watching me play at St. Helens. It’s Friday night out going, meeting friends, seeing people they like. And there’s a lot more than just money and myself that go into it.

“My mind’s solely on winning another grand final, a Challenge Cup and a League Leader’s Shield.”