Why the St Helens class of 2023 could be the best ever

Over the last few years, there has been plenty of debate around whether or not this current St Helens side is the best in Super League history.

They have won four Super League Grand Finals in a row, a record for the summer era and not far off Wigan’s record from the 80s and 90s.

They have won three League Leaders’ Shields in this five year spell as well as a Challenge Cup, a first for 13 years, in 2021.

That said, there has been a suggestion that this isn’t the finest Saints team in Super League history with it having to compete with the treble winners from 2006 as well as the back-to-back Champions from 1999 and 2000.

However, the Saints class of 2023 could be the best ever.

Why, this is perhaps because of the trials and tribulations of the last two years. The 2021 and 2022 Grand Final triumphs came under the shadow of injury which helped develop some of their next stars such as Matty Lees, Lewis Dodd, Jon Bennison, and Joe Batchelor.

As new coach Paul Wellens said, last year as the best Grand Final win:

“Kristian said last year was the best title win of all of them because we had to show a different side of us in covering for so many injured players.”

Now that Dodd is back to full fitness as is Alex Walmsley and Mark Percival, the Saints will have their star players back in the fold.

They should also have an ideal mix of players approaching their peak, those at their peak and the experienced heads beyond their peak who can provide some leadership.

The Saints always have had the perfect defence and control of the middle of the third thanks to their big pack capable of sucking the energy out of their opponents but not only will they have this steel and strength but with the likes of Dodd, Percival, new boy Tee Ritson, Konrad Hurrell and Will Hopoate they will have some exciting attacking weapons which could fire them to the treble and make them one of the most enjoyable watches in the league.