St Helens star outlines emerging leadership role for 2025

One St Helens forward has discussed the off-season changes at the club as well as their emerging leadership role after another strong year individually.

St Helens might have struggled in 2024 with the Red Vee just making the top six but prop forward Matty Lees had one of his best to date and was rightfully rewarded with selection to the Super League Dream Team.

The 26-year-old has developed into one of the competition’s best at the position, despite what he admitted himself is not the flashiest of play styles.

When speaking to SaintsTV, Lees was asked about some of the club’s younger forwards looking up to him – something he conceded had shocked him somewhat given that he has, in his own words, “the most boring style of play ever”.

Lees told SaintsTV: “I’ve never scored too many tries in my career, except that one at Old Trafford that I’ll never let go, but a lot of the younger boys sort of look up to me and I’m quite shocked when they say that because I’ve got the most boring style of play ever.

“The team is based on hard work and that’s how I try and lead from the front. I’m not the most skilful and I don’t score all the tries but I pride myself on hard work.”

St Helens prop hails young guns coming through

His hard work once again earned him an England call-up at the end of the season, playing in both Tests against Samoa with the second of those seeing him pick up an MCL injury.

Lees is aiming to be back for teammate Morgan Knowles’ testimonial in January, however, should he fail to make that game then Saints have plenty of young guns lining up behind him.

Asked about the likes of Alfie Sinclair, Noah Stephens and George Delaney, Lees spoke favourably on the trio – even touting Sinclair to potentially make a loan move in 2025.

The prop explained: “I think Alfie went on to play in the Reserves last year and that will have been a step up for him from playing scholarship level and the academy level.

“Maybe he might play a bit of Championship this year and take a similar path to what I did when I was coming through but it all puts you in good stead – getting amongst the first team every day will help him with his development.

“George and Noah got a taste last year playing first team and it’s only going to benefit them this year.”

Lees also noted the air of positivity in camp, referencing the two coaching additions of Lee Briers and Eamon O’Carroll and the ‘fresh ideas’ that had been brought in.

“Briersy, we had him at England and he’s unbelievable at what he does there,” Lees explained.

“He’s going to provide the same he does at England for St Helens – without giving away any of the secrets in attack,

“Eamon O’Carroll has sort of come in on the defensive side. He’s an Oldham lad as well, the same as me, so we get on well.

“It’s been great – fresh faces, new ideas, new training drills. Just freshening things up and everybody has got a smile on their face.”