St Helens star Jack Welsby reportedly agrees to mega contract

St Helens star Jack Welsby has reportedly made a decision on his future after St George Illawarra Dragons made a play for the fullback.

The Dragons opened talks with the England star due to uncertainty around the future of Junior Amone at the club. Amone was found guilty of threatening someone with a hammer alongside his father.

He avoided prison but could still be banned by the NRL after being given a correctional sentence including 30 hours of community service.

The club thus began negotiations with the St Helens star but this prompted St Helens to act fast in order to retain the fullback. It was reported by Rugby League Live after the news of the Dragons’ interest emerged that Saints were in talks with Welsby as well.

Now, according to the Daily Telegraph who reported the original story, Welsby is understood to have agreed a three year extension on his current deal until 2028. His current deal ended in 2025.

The publication stated: “Welsby has effectively agreed to a three-year extension that will mean he remains in England for at least another four seasons, scuppering the hopes of NRL sides hoping to get their hands on one of Super League’s biggest stars.

“It is understood that Welsby’s new deal contains no out clauses, which means the only hope an NRL club has of signing Welsby before 2028 would be to pay a significant transfer fee.”

St Helens have significantly covered their backs with this deal as now a huge fee would be required to sign Welsby if an NRL club wants to bring him in any time soon.

Otherwise they will have to wait until 2028 which admittedly Welsby should be in his prime around that time but with fullbacks key to NRL success and there being a limited number of affordable options down under, it may prompt a mega transfer fee.

For now the Saints have their man with some exceptional business from the club. Could Welsby even be considered for the St Helens’ captaincy after James Roby’s retirement? He has already captained England and would have longevity in the role others maybe wouldn’t.