First Team Players

PAUL Wellens is one of the stalwarts of the Saints and has been an integral part of the Club's success over the last 15 seasons.

Known locally as ‘Mr St Helens' Wello has been an ambassador of the full back position in Rugby League since his debut in 1998.

Following his domination of the #1 spot in 2006 when he won the Man of Steel Award, Players' Player of the Year, Rugby League Writers' Player of the Year, Saints' Official Player of the Year and Saints' Supporters Player of the Year, in 2007 he became more productive scoring 24 tries in all competitions.

In 2008, he won the Lance Todd trophy for the second consecutive year for one of the most dominant full back displays ever to grace Wembley.

2009 saw a return of 16 tries as he became pivotal in Saints' attack and in 2010 he clocked up 20.

2011 added another 14 tries to his tally and he surpassed not only 200 career four-pointers but also played in his 400th game for the club.

And last season was another superb one in terms of try production as he became a leader on and off the field as captain for the historic 2012 campaign at Langtree Park.

THE Cumbrian flyer joined Saints from Barrow Border Raiders in October 2001 and immediately demonstrated his pace and form as a great attacking option. He established himself as a first team regular in 2003, and made his 200th appearance in 2009.

Despite saying he had a "shocking" game against Brisbane in the World Club Challenge in 2007, he scored two tries that rocked the Aussie Champions and sent Saints on their way to victory.

He was the Club's highest try scorer in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Super League seasons - scoring an impressive 31 tries to become Super League's top try scorer in 2008.

His 2011 campaign had rave reviews until he suffered a serious Achilles tear that curtailed his season.

A knee problem curtailed his 2012 season - again following a superb run of form that had him earning plaudits from the coach and the fans.

He signed a two-year contract in 2011 that will see him through to end of season 2013.

JORDAN Turner signed on a two-year contract in 2012.

He is predominately a centre but turned out for England Exiles as a Stand Off at the end of the 2012 season.

He possesses good feet, a great turn of pace and has also matured into an excellent defender too.

A former England under 18s Academy International and Captain, Turner joined Hull FC from Salford City Reds in 2010.

He's scored nearly 35 tries in close to 100 Super League appearances and is also versatile enough to play in the back row.

Text ARMY NWEST8 to 70004 and send us a £3 donation. Increase your donation by text ARMY NWEST £5 or ARMY NWEST £10

Text costs your donation amount plus network charge. ABF The Soldiers' Charity receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 08448479800. ABF The Soldiers' Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales (1146420) and registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales (07974609).

SIA Soliola's bone crunching hits have become a real highlight at Langtree Park.

The 6ft 3" second rower joined the club in 2009 after making more than 90 appearances for the Roosters and crossing the whitewash on 20-plus occasions.

He made his Saints debut at the beginning of the 2010 season before ankle ligaments ruled him out for six weeks. His return against Warrington Wolves in the second row was a success but he ruptured his patella tendon in training and was expected to miss the entire campaign.

However, Sia came back before the end of the season and was pivotal in the side's run to the 2010 Grand Final.

He proved to be an absolute monster in 2011 in both the centre and second row positions and in 2012 he probably had his best season to date taking home the Supporters Player of the Year award.

CAPPED14 times by New Zealand and four times by Samoa Francis Meli has a true international pedigree.

Notching up an impressive 129 tries in 199 games to date, he has the pace and power to finish off any attack and is capable of utilising space to score points from all areas of the field.

Meli has the Australian play-off record of scoring five tries in a match, against Canterbury Bulldogs in 2003 and ended that season with an impressive 23 tries from 27 games, and was named New Zealand Warriors' Player of the Year.

Francis is clearly one of Saints ‘go to' players possessing speed, skill and strength - and that enables him to take the ball in with power - especially when clearing his lines.

After Visa issues curtailed the start of his 2009 campaign, Francis was one of Saints stand out performers in the latter half of the season.

In 2010 he had his best campaign to date, clocking up 26 tries in 25 appearances and last season his partnership with Jamie Foster was one of the most dangerous in the league.

And over the last two seasons he has continued that attacking force.

WORLD Cup Winner Hohaia joined Saints on a four-year deal in 2011.

The 28-year-old played 29 times for the Kiwis and made 185 appearances for the New Zealand Warriors - a club which he made his debut for in 2002.

He stands at 175 cms tall and tips the scales at 86kg and partnered Jonny Lomax in the half-backs last season.

At home at scrum half and full back, Lance is a true utility player whose speed and decision making was vital for the club in 2012.

He is also a rock-solid defender and has a good kicking game.

JONNY is a scrum half who can virtually play in any ‘back' position.

He broke into the first team squad in 2011 following injuries and made his selection a foregone conclusion for the rest of the season.

His partnership with Lee Gaskell - dubbed #lomaskell - was debuted for the first team against Leeds in March and neither looked back guiding Saints to the 2011 Grand Final.

Lightning quick off the mark and a great rugby league brain, Jonny's performances led him to be selected for the England Knights and then the full Elite train on squad.

Unfortunately, he missed out on the Four Nations with ankle ligament damage and another injury curtailed his chances in the 2012 Autumn International series.

He made his debut against Wakefield at full back in 2009 and also appeared on the wing scoring two tries in eight competent performances.

2010 was even better, with 92 points in 16 games and he bagged nine tries in 2011 including a crucial score at the DW Stadium in the playoffs.

In 2012, 157 points were added to the Saints cause as Lomax matured.

Jonny is sponsored by Burrows Electrical Supplies. They can be contacted on 07960 798 593.

AUSTRALIAN international and State of Origin prop forward Josh Perry joined Saints on a three-year contract from 2011.

The 30-year-old made 234 appearances in his NRL career, playing for Newcastle Knights from 2000 to 2007 and was recently with Manly Sea Eagles.

The six foot 1, 114 kg forward made his NRL debut in 2000 for the Knights against New Zealand Warriors before spending seven successful years at the club.

He then moved to Manly and has made 59 appearances for the Sea Eagles, adding five tries to the 15 he notched for the Knights.

His first season at the club was curtailed by injury but he made 12 appearances to show fans his potential.

A hamstring problem eventually ended his campaign but he did return in 2012 to drive the pack forward.

MAN of Steel in 2007, 'Robes' learnt from the great Keiron Cunningham to become of the World's best hookers.

Despite his diminutive stature he plays as if he is six inches taller and twenty kilograms heavier! His dummy runs lay the platform for the ‘go-forward' at the club and he has a great turn of pace.

He made his Saints debut in March 2004 aged 18 and his inexorable rise saw him represent Great Britain before his 21st birthday, an achievement made even more remarkable by the fact that he had a low-key junior record.

He was runner-up in the Young Player of the Year Award for Super League X as he established himself as Cunningham's deputy.

2007 saw Robes become the country's best impact player - a feat which continued throughout 2008 and the World Cup.

In 2009 rule changes around the ruck curtailed much of his fast off the mark play, but he still remained an integral part of the team - as proved in 2010 when he was one of the best hookers in the competition.

His stand out performances in the 2010 Four Nations campaign saw NRL clubs chasing his signature, but he opted to sign a four-year contract with his hometown club.

He took over from Cunningham in 2011 and became the Club's top metre maker and tackling machine as well as being able to play for 80 minutes - making him the best pound for pound player in Super League.

And that continued in 2012 as he took the metre maker award once more and was at the hub of everything Saints did.

In a World Cup year England will have the best player in the league in their ranks.

He was named in the 2012 Dream Team.

James is sponsored by Vinyline Graphics.

ENGLAND prop forward Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook joined Saints from Harlequins on a four-year contract from 2011.

He made his first team debut for Harlequins in 2005 and made close to 100 appearances before heading north.

Equally adept at leading from the front row and as an impact forward, he made more than 2100 metres for the Quins in 2010 and has a great off-load.

LMS made his debut against Wigan at the 2010 'Millennium Magic' event and established himself as a real crowd favourite... even though his 'name is too long'.

He made his international debut for England against Wales in 2008.

TONY Puletua joined Saints with a host of first grade experience and big game performances to boot.

The massive strong running forward breaks defences with ease and has a tough, no nonsense tackling game that continues to be the envy of the rest of Super League.

He had an excellent 2009 scoring 14 tries - including four away at Castleford - proving to be a real crowd pleaser - and added 13 more in 2010.

2011 saw another seven and last season he took his tally to 38 in the Red Vee.

He can play either as prop or in the back row.

Twitter: @Tonypuletua11

A REAL ambassador for Rugby League, Jon was signed from Hull KR in the summer of 2002 and has become an important part of the first team.

A great passer with quick feet, strong defence and vision, he has racked up 78 tries since his debut in 2003 and scored two tries in the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham... with a broken nose.

Since then he has become a complete player - being able to combine defence with attack and a great kicking game too.

In 2011 he probably displayed his best form to date and was an integral part of the England Four Nations side and the one that faced the Exiles.

He then captained England in 2012 against the Exiles.

Although he doesn't like the term, Jon is media savvy, a great asset to the sport and will continue to be the face of Rugby League for the foreseeable future.

2012 is his Testimonial season and you can view information here.

SAINTS signed second rower Willie Manu on a two-year contract.

The powerful back rower joined from Hull FC where he spent the last six seasons.

A devastating runner with a phenomenal work rate, last season Manu was one of the league's top tackle bust makers.

Manu joined Hull from Castleford in 2007 and was their Player of the Year in 2011.

A Tongan international, he has also played for Wests Tigers, South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George-Illawarra in the NRL.

FRONT rower Anthony Laffranchi on a two-year contract and led from the front in 2012.

'Boof' has both State of Origin and international experience, having represented Australia in the last World Cup.

He is an Italian passport holder and therefore off quota too.

Laffranchi made his NRL debut in 2001 for West Tigers and remained there for six seasons - winning a Grand Final - before signing for the Titans.

He's played five times for Australia, four times for New South Wales and has made 204 appearances in the NRL, scoring 50 tries.

Anthony is sponsored by Joe Walsh Properties.

MARK Flanagan joined Saints in 2011 on a two year contract from 2012.

He is a utility forward who was formerly with Wigan Warriors and Wests Tigers.

He made 27 appearances in the NRL before opting to return back to the UK to link up with former assistant coach Royce Simmons.

Flash has good handling skills and is very good defensively.

Mark is sponsored by Curtain Wizard Northwest.

THE former Blackbrook amateur broke into the first team in 2005 and hasn't looked back.

Aged 16 he was named Saints under-18 Player of the Year in a squad that reached the Grand Final.

His other highlight of that season was going with the St Helens under-16 side on the tour of Australia were they won their three games on tour including a win against the highly-rated Penrith Panthers side that weeks earlier had beaten the New Zealand under-16s.

The back-rower made his Super League debut in July 2005 against Hull and his safe, strong running style and no nonsense tackling have made him a regular starter ever since.

2008 proved to be another successful year for Cloughie - scoring a hat trick at the Halliwell Jones Stadium against Warrington and picking up another Challenge Cup Winners Medal to boot.

In 2009 season he was the only 'ever-present' in the team and he was one of the hubs of the pack in 2010.

Like a number of players, his 2011 season was cut short by injury - a neck problem sustained in the win at Leeds. He spent the best part of 15 weeks on the sidelines, and then turned his ankle on his return.

But he returned to his good form in 2012 and was rewarded with a three-year contract.

GARY is a good footballer and who you would categorise as a classic number 6 although he has excelled in the centres as of late.

SIGNED from Blackbrook he represented England at under 15s and 16s and toured with the winning Saints Academy side to Australia in 2006.

He deputised in the backs last season as injury took hold and proved to be one of the most versatile members in the squad playing centre and wing.

But various injuries caused his 2010, 2011 and 2012 campaigns to be interrupted.

However, in 2012 he displayed his great footwork and speed to establish himself as a centre.

JOSH made his debut against Warrington in March 2012 and looked like he'd been there all his life.

In one performance he made the position his own and played 20 matches, scoring 12 tries.

Originally from Chorley, Josh joined the club when he was 13 from Blackbrook but previously played for Leyland Warriors and Chorley Panthers.

He was England 15 and 16s captain and toured Australia with Saints Academy in 2009.

LEE is a classic rangy number six who uses his pace at the line to find gaps and put players in.

He made his debut against Catalan Dragons in 2010 but 2011 was when the youngster came of age.

Partnering with Jonny Lomax away at Leeds, the pair upset the odds as they led an injury ravaged Saints to victory.

At 22-years-old he will continue to improve.

TOMMY is a winger who took Super League by storm in 2011.

He made his debut against Salford in February but it was when Ade Gardner got injured that the youngster came into his own.

He played 22 matches for the club and scored 12 tries as well as kicking six goals.

He produced that and more in 2012 giving himself a real shot at international honours.

Tom is sponsored by Curtain Wizard North West.

SIGNING from Pilkington Recs, Carl is a second rower/prop forward who had a glittering Academy career.

He was promoted to the first team squad in 2011 but a shoulder injury meant he couldn't make his debut until September.

He played in the all English side that beat Harlequins on September 10 and then went on to make two appearances for the first team in 2012.

He also played 12 times at Swinton on dual registration.

HAILING from New Zealand, Nathan is a full back who can also play at standoff.

He made his debut for the club in the draw at Hull FC in 2011 and went on to add another four appearances and another two in 2012.

He's deceptively quick and strong for his size.

JOE signed from Saddleworth Rangers and is a prop forward.

He trained with the first team squad in 2011 and was ‘18th' man on a number of occasions but finally made his debut against Oldham in the Cup in 2012.

Joe is sponsored by Curtain Wizard Northwest.

SAINTS signed Alex Walmsley from Batley Bulldogs on a three-year contract.

He is a forward with great promise, six foot 5 and played for GB Students and Dewsbury Celtic before attracting the attention of the Bulldogs.

He recently won the Championship Young Player of the Year too.

Joe is sponsored by Houghwood Golf Club.

ADAM is a utility back who played four times for Saints in 2012 and scored five tries.

He made his debut away at Widnes and scored a hat-trick.

He is also at college finishing off the final year of his HNC mechanical engineering apprenticeship. 

Adam is sponsored by:

ANTHONY is a prop who signed from Blackbrook Royals.

A former swimming champion, he has great strength and has proven that in both the Under 20s and Under 18s set ups.

JORDAN signed from Bold Miners and is a prop forward.

Jordan is sponsored by Protive Security.

DANNY is a half back.

MARK is a centre who went on the recent England Academy tour.

Mark is sponsored by Protive Security.

DOM is a hooker who went on Saints unbeaten tour to Australia and the recent England Academy tour.

JAMES is a back rower who can also play at prop.

He signed from Portico Vine and was St Helens Academy's (u18s) captain last year.

He was also the Captain on Saints Tour to Australia in 2011.

Luke Thompson is a fast strong prop / back row forward.

He has been with the club since he was 11 and signed from Bold Miners having previously played for Pilkington Recs.

The 17-year-old recently represented England on their Academy Tour of Australia.

'Duggy' is a stand off who also played full back and loose forward at junior level. He toured Australia with the Saints in 2011 and won the Coaches' Award for the trip due to his outstanding efforts, versatility, enthusiasm and leadership.

He signed from Rylands and has been a Scholar since under 15s

Stuart Howarth is a 23-year-old hooker / loose forward.

He was the only Reds player to feature in every one of the club's 29 matches last season, mostly as a hooker but as scrum half towards the latter end of the campaign.