Tommy Makinson has been shining on the wing for St Helens since 2011 but that could be about to come to an end at the close of this season.
It’s widely being reported that Makinson is being lined up for a move to Catalans Dragons, the side that defeated St Helens in the playoffs last season and ended the Red Vee’s chances of five Super League titles in a row.
Sky Sports’ Jenna Brooks added fuel to the fire when reporting that in the pre-game coverage of St Helens’ clash with Leeds Rhinos last week, indicating that the five-time Super League winner is on the way out at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Reports then emerged that Catalans’ own winger, Tom Davies, was set to head in the other direction but Hull KR look to have pipped Paul Wellens’ side which creates the question of who will Saints sign to replace Makinson.
Makinson has been an exceptional servant to the club and will prove incredibly hard to replace but that looks like the task that Paul Wellens and Co. will be facing.
The likely lads that St Helens could target to replace club legend
Fouad Yaha
Credit: Imago Images
It seems that St Helens have failed in their efforts to snag one Catalans winger in Tom Davies, but perhaps they could target another in the shape of Fouad Yaha.
The Frenchman wouldn’t count against the quota as he is federation-trained, albeit in France, and his record speaks for itself as the club’s top try-scorer all time.
With the arrival of Tom Johnstone for the 2023 season Yaha has found himself on the outside looking in, even heading out on loan to Hull KR for a brief stint at one point last season.
Despite that the 27-year-old’s talent is undeniable and with former Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous part of Wellens’ coaching staff there could be a reunification.
It is just two seasons ago that Yaha put up an incredible 24 tries in 25 games making him one of the competition’s most slept-on players that is heading off contract.
Innes Senior
Credit: Imago Images
It might be an incredibly unlikely name to be linked with a club that has the prestige of St Helens but Innes Senior is having himself one hell of a season so far and could be a legitimate option for the Red Vee.
Senior is currently on loan at Castleford Tigers where he has scored nine tries in nine in Super League with his carries at an incredible average of 9.62 metres, the best in Super League among players with more than 100 carries.
The speedster’s contract at parent club Huddersfield Giants runs out at the end of the season and he will become a free agent. Whilst Cas will certainly want to tie him down to a deal, perhaps Saints should poach him for themselves.
Daniel Tupou
Credit: SWpix
St Helens could of course look overseas and one man who has regularly been linked with a Super League move is Daniel Tupou of Sydney Roosters.
Tupou would be 33 if he were to sign for Saints and therefore likely a stop-gap but with almost 150 NRL tries in 244 games his record is impeccable.
Unfortunately for Tupou, the Roosters have one of the best backlines assembled in the NRL featuring Billy Smith, Dom Young, James Tedesco, Joey Many, Joseph Suaalii whilst Michael Jennings has also just made the top 30.
There’s seemingly no option on the table for Tupou to remain with the Roosters which could see St Helens make a play for the Tongan international.
