James Roby, Morgan Knowles, Alex Walmsley and Jack Welsby have all been included in the Betfred Super League Dream Team for 2022.
Saints hold the most players in the team with Knowles named for the fourth straight season and Walmsley makes it three in a row and four overall having also been named in 2015. Welsby is included for the second straight season.
Roby, who recently announced he would play on in 2023, returns to Hooker for the first time since 2018. This marks Roby’s seventh appearance in the Dream Team and puts him joint second on the all-time Dream Team appearance list, with Andy Farrell, Keiron Cunningham and Sean O’Loughlin.
The Dream Team, voted for by the Man of Steel panellists, includes six debutants as well as five players who have retained their place from 2021’s Dream Team.
Super League’s top try scorer in 2022 Bevan French joins teammates Liam Farrell and Jai Field, who takes the Full Back position with his debut appearance.
Amongst the other debutants are Salford Red Devils duo, Brodie Croft and Tim Lafai whose talents have helped Salford reach the Play-Offs and give them another tilt at reaching the Grand Final at Old Trafford.
Man of Steel Panellist, and member of the 1999 Dream Team, Barrie McDermott said: “Being on the Man of Steel panel and working for Sky Sports means I’ve had the opportunity to watch these fantastic athletes showing some amazing skills week-in-week-out throughout the season.
“Seeing five players retain their place in the team from 2021 shows the talent and consistency on display in Super League. A special mention must go to Morgan Knowles who is quickly making the loose forward position after a fourth straight pick in the team.
“It’s fantastic to see that Mikolaj Oledzki is developing into a first class forward and challenges his peers every week. He has been an imposing presence for his club all year and a debut appearance is very deserved.
“Alongside the familiar faces it is great to see new talent rewarded with a place in the team and all six debutants this season should all be very proud to join the Dream Team list.”
Betfred Super League Dream Team 2022
- Jai Field, Wigan Warriors (200)
- Bevan French, Wigan Warriors (186)
- Tim Lafai, Salford Red Devils (194)
- Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Hull KR (201)
- Ken Sio, Salford Red Devils (194)
- Jack Welsby, St Helens (195)
- Brodie Croft, Salford Red Devils (203)
- Alex Walmsley, St Helens (148)
- James Roby, St Helens (94)
- Mikolaj Oledzki, Leeds Rhinos (204)
- Chris McQueen, Huddersfield Giants (205)
- Liam Farrell, Wigan Warriors (150)
- Morgan Knowles, St Helens (185)
(xxx) denotes Dream Team heritage number