St Helens have one of the strongest squads in Super League. This is reflected in their current league position. The Saints currently sit joint top with Catalans Dragons, on 14 points.
Recent injuries have shaken the Saints. Talismanic prop, Alex Walmsley, will miss several months following surgery on his knee. Agnatius Paasi has been a long-term casualty, following a major ACL injury. Paasi is nearing a return, but the two injuries leave Saints light in the forwards.
St Helens potentially in the market for reinforcements
Speaking to the St Helens Star, Paul Wellens hinted that he may look to the transfer market to strengthen his pack. Although Sione Mata’utia, Curtis Sironen and George Delaney have all provided cover, Saints may look for reinforcements.
“Potentially. It is something we have to look at and I am constantly in discussions with both Mike (Rush) and Eamonn (McManus) on where we can strengthen the squad. It’s an area which we could potentially look at moving forward.”
Below, we have identified three forwards Saints could look to sign if Wellens decides to enter the transfer market.
George King
Ireland international, George King, has been a regular as Hull KR since joining. However, King has found himself out of the side in recent weeks. With his contract due to expire at the end of this season, King looks set to exit KR.
King is linked with a move to Huddersfield Giants for next season. However, that does not rule him out of a short-term move to the Saints in the interim. This would benefit a player on the periphery of their current side. It would provide Saints the support they need until Paasi is fit.
Jack Brown
On the other side of Hull, Jack Brown has been making an impression in a struggling Hull FC side. The 23-year-old prop has been one of the few shining lights in a difficult season for Hull FC. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Hull KR are reportedly favourites to seal Brown’s signature. However the move is not confirmed. Brown has huge potential. With Walmsley reaching the later stages of his career, Brown could be the perfect understudy.
Jarrod Wallace
This may be one for the close season, rather than mid-season. But, Jarrod Wallace’s contract at the Dolphins expires at the end of the season. Reports which broke earlier today have linked Wallace with a move to Super League.
He is experienced and has represented Queensland at State of Origin level. Any move for Wallace would require Saints to free up a quota spot, which may make a mid-season move difficult.. Konrad Hurrell, Waqa Blake and Sione Mata’utia are all off contract at the end of the season. So the option may be there for Saints to make this move happen.
