A proud product of the Saints Academy, ‘Super Jack’ has established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Betfred Super League and a star on the international stage too.

As has been widely reported, many NRL clubs have expressed interest in the Red V’s full-back, but the 22-year-old has brought an end to any speculation regarding his future by further committing to St.Helens with two more years added onto his existing contract, which now runs until the end of 2027.

The news of Welsby’s contract extension is one of the biggest retentions in recent memory and fantastic news not only for St.Helens but for the competition of Super League by keeping one of its biggest and best stars for at least the next four seasons playing in the northern hemisphere.

 

Welsby has already earned an incredible amount of silverware at the Saints with; three Super League titles, two League Leaders’ Shields, a Challenge Cup, and a World Club Challenge on his record, all before even reaching his 23^rd birthday.

To date for the Saints Welsby has made 117 appearances; scoring 54 tries and 3 drop goals for a total of 219 points. The England international has been named in Super League’s Dream Team on three occasions in the last three successive seasons and has been on the three-man shortlist for the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award in the last two campaigns too.

Welsby has proved himself to be a pivotal member of the St.Helens squad, highlighted this season in the Club’s seismic World Club Challenge win over Penrith Panthers. The Saints’ number #1 scored a try, set up another, and was deservedly named the Player of the Match in that historic victory.

‘Super Jack’ finished this year by becoming the youngest-ever England captain, leading the national side to a series victory over Tonga, playing every minute of the three-match Test series whitewash.

Speaking about further cementing his future with St.Helens, Jack Welsby told saintsrlfc.com: “I am over the moon glad it’s done with now and I can get my head into Pre-Season and the New Year. It was a decision I had to make and I’m glad that I’ve made the decision that I have, and I’m going to be around all my best mates and a really good club.

“Everyone at St Helens expects to win trophies, whether it’s the fans, the players, the coaches, or the backroom staff. Everyone’s expecting for you to go out and win at a weekend and then win on the big night at Old Trafford. That sort of expectation, it’s hard sometimes, but it’s what I want, I want that pressure and that’s where I feel like I play my best rugby.”

The extension of ‘Super Jack’ continuing to play in the Betfred Super League is a huge coup for the competition, and Welsby himself reaffirms it will bring the best out of him.

“The NRL’s a massive competition and everyone sees it as that, but I believe that Super League can be that and we’ve just got to work towards it. Sometimes the speculation that comes with the NRL and stuff is not just as simple as going to sign at a different club, it’s a lot of things. It’s on the other side of the world, it’s tough and the timing’s got to be right – it’s got to be perfect. But for me, it was always going to be St Helens.”

With so many achievements already in his Saints scrapbook of accolades, it is a clear goal for the next four years for Jack Welsby.

“Win. I want to win things again. I think last year was a massive disappointment and the way it ended for Robes (James Roby) and Louie (McCarthy-Scarsbrook), two of the greatest players this Club has ever seen, was a horrible feeling and I don’t want to feel it again. So, we have got to sort of pick ourselves up, work hard this Pre-Season and find the results.”

The news of the Saints’ number #1 staying with the Club until at least the end of 2027 will be well received by our supporters and in a direct message to our fans Welsby said: “Thank you. We were a bit disappointed last year, but we want to bring silverware back to this town and you have got to get behind the boys. We enjoy having you here, we love playing on Friday nights and Saturday evenings or whatever it is, as long as there’s a packed house at the Totally Wicked Stadium it doesn’t get much better.”

Head Coach Paul Wellens is thrilled about Welsby committing his future to the Club, stating: “This is excellent news for the Club, and something we have always prided ourselves on at Saints is bringing through young players into our team with our Academy systems and Jack has done that to go on to be one of the best players in the competition.

“It’s harder in the current climate to keep your best players, but it is something that Saints has had real success with. Jack now becomes the latest of a long line of players who have committed their long-term futures here.

“He is an absolute pleasure to work with, that is why everyone involved at St.Helens is so delighted he has chosen to commit his future with us for the next four years. For a 22-year old he’s mature beyond his years and a real leader within our group despite being so young.”

Chairman of St.Helens R.F.C. Eamonn McManus commented on the fantastic news and said: “This is the perfect Christmas present to all Saints’ supporters.

“Jack is a generational talent and it’s hard to comprehend what he has already achieved at the age of 22. Committing long-term to St Helens is a massive boost to us now and going forward.

 “Jack is in a position to become one of the Club’s all-time greats and we know that he will be a key component and driving force in our future success.”

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SUPER JACK’S SAINTS STORY SO FAR…

Jack Welsby’s journey with St.Helens began in 2014 when the former Shevington & Blackbrook junior joined the Saints youth system at the Scholarship Under 16s, and stepped up into the Academy ranks.

Jack performed strongly at the Under 19s level, especially on the Academy’s Australian Tour in 2017, and across the 2018 season as a dominant half-back. In that same year he earned county honours as part of Lancashire’s Origin side and represented the England Academy in a 2-0 series win over Australia before making his Super League bow.

In 2019 Welsby earned more senior match minutes across several positions and was establishing himself as a youngster ready to feature regularly. This was highlighted by a Man of the Match performance away at Warrington Wolves that season.

Welsby grabbed the headlines in the 2020 Grand Final with his last-minute try securing the Saints’ second successive Super League title by beating Wigan in an enthralling contest. A last-second effort for a drop-goal came off the posts and Jack’s chase and grounding of the ball after the hooter will forever be remembered as one of rugby league’s most dramatic moments.

Following his first Super League winners’ ring, ‘Super Jack’ continued to step up and become a pivotal part of the Saints’ squad. In 2021 he was hugely influential in ending a thirteen-year wait for a Challenge Cup victory at Wembley Stadium, named in the Dream Team for the first time, crowned Super League’s Young Player of the Year, and played his part in securing the Club’s third Grand Final win in a row.

Following the departure of Lachlan Coote, Welsby was given the famous number #1 shirt for the Saints from the 2022 season and further demonstrated he is one of the sport’s top talents. For a second year running he was awarded the competition’s Young Player of the Year and named in the Dream Team.

Such an impressive season in 2022 also saw Jack nominated for the three-person Man of Steel shortlist and made his England debut in the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup. He would go on to feature in all five of England’s matches in the tournament.

2023 has seen Welsby further cement his spot as one of the best and brightest in all of rugby league, with the year beginning with St.Helens’ incredible victory over Penrith Panthers to win the Club’s third World Title. The star full-back was vital to the success with a try, an assist and some astonishing goal-line defence earning him the Player of the Match award.

Jack’s form during the 2023 season has been highly consistent, scoring 15 tries and setting up a further 32 for his teammates. For a third straight year and in a third different position he was selected for the Dream Team, and for the second season running Welsby was shortlisted for the Man of Steel Award.

To close out yet another memorable year, Jack became England’s youngest captain at just 22 years of age, leading out the national side in the opening two Tests against Tonga which England won, and featured in the third and final Test to complete a series whitewash.

Welsby has now put pen to paper on a new contract extension, seeing off a lot of external interest and committing himself to the Club he has been with since 2014.