St.Helens R.F.C. are delighted to confirm that Jake Burns will become a full-time player with our First Team and will be part of our 2024 squad, after impressing as part of our Reserves side over the past two seasons!
The 23-year-old hooker originally came to the Red V on a three-month trial in January 2022 after being spotted playing open age with Halton Farnworth Hornets. After showing great work ethic whilst on trial, Burns then joined our Reserves ranks for the season, performing strongly in the campaign and was justly rewarded by being named the Saints’ Reserves Player of the Year for 2022.
Staying with Saints in 2023, Burns has kept working hard; with Reserves Head Coach Derek Hardman, stepping into the First Team training squad during the campaign, and taking opportunities to play on loan with North Wales Crusaders.
Jake started at #9 with the Welsh club in their incredible run to get to the Betfred League One Play-Off Final, winning three knockout fixtures straight after finishing the regular season in sixth place to get the last match of the season.
The hooker will now train consistently with the First Team as a member of our 2024 squad, and sharing his delight about the news Jake Burns told saintsrlfc.com: “I’m over the moon and thankful for the opportunity, I just can’t wait to get started now!
“I got picked up and asked to come in for a three-month trial back in January 2022, I was just playing open age at the time and I thought ‘Why not give it a go?’. Thankfully, the Club wanted to keep me on a Reserves contract for the year and that was extended for the 2023 season as well. So to now be offered a full-time contract feels really special.”
The former Widnes Moorfield Tigers junior is ready and raring to go with the jump to the elite level with Saints, and to learn from some of the very best in Betfred Super League.
“I’m excited to take the leap, it is something you dream of when you’re a kid – to get that chance.
“It’s exciting to be able to work with the likes of Daryl (Clark), he’s a new face and I’m looking to learning off him. From the time I’ve been in with the lads already, it has been great, they all work really hard, so hopefully by being around them more I’ll thrive and fit right in.”
Discussing the news of Burns being more involved in his squad, Head Coach Paul Wellens said: “Jake has shown fantastic application since coming into the club with as part of our Reserves side.
“Since then he’s focussed on improving his game and becoming a full time player will certainly go a long way to doing that, as will working alongside the likes of Daryl Clark and Moses Mbye.
“We always want good people to part of our playing group, and Jake fits that bill 100%. We’ve enjoyed working with him when he’s come into the First Team environment, and will continue doing so in 2024.”
