St.Helens R.F.C. is pleased to announce young winger Lewis Murphy will return to the UK following a spell with NRL side Sydney Roosters to join the Saints on a two-year deal ahead of the 2025 season!
The 22-year-old becomes the Saints’ third new face for our squad ahead of next season, following on from the signing news of Tristan Sailor and Kyle Feldt.
2022 was Murphy’s breakthrough season, having come through Wakefield Trinity’s youth ranks in his debut campaign he went on to score an impressive 19 tries in 21 match appearances for the West Yorkshire club. Our supporters got to see his try-scoring prowess up close that year at the Totally Wicked Stadium, as Lewis ran riot for Wakefield and scored a stunning four tries against the Saints.
Such exemplary scoring form saw Murphy earn the move to the Roosters for 2024, however, an ACL injury cut his time at Trinity short early in the 2023 season.
Murphy is currently serving as part of the Roosters’ squad, gaining valuable experience down in Australia and he has been playing in their New South Wales Cup side following his rehab work.
Following a year full of development working in an NRL setup, it is great news to have a talented young English player come and join the Red V and return to play in the Betfred Super League too.
Murphy is an exciting addition to St.Helens’ squad for 2025, adding further speed and competition to Paul Wellens’ outside backline.
Speaking to saintsrlfc.com about coming to join our Club, Lewis Murphy said: “I am so excited to be coming to join St.Helens, but I am excited to showcase all I’ve learned and how I’ve developed as a player by being over here [Australia] too. I’m really keen to get playing some good rugby with Saints, can’t wait!
“When I first spoke to Wello [Wellens] and Mike [Rush] they were really welcoming and nice, and I can’t wait to meet up in person.
“As soon as I spoke to Wello he told me straight that at this club, we compete for silverware every year and we need to be up for every single trophy, and I’m ready for that – it’s what I want to do.”
It has been a year of progression and growth for the 22-year-old Down Under, and he returns to England more mature and ready to take his chance to make a wing position his own in the Red V.
“I’ve loved my time in Australia, and I had to take the shot, I might have never got that opportunity again and I’ve learned so much. I think I’ll benefit from coming over and just growing as a person, being away from home, away from family. I think I’ve grown as an athlete and a rugby player too being in a different environment.
“I’m coming to make my own spot, hopefully, I can earn and keep that wing spot and have some good years there with the team.”
In closing, Murphy spoke about the last time he played at the Totally Wicked Stadium being a memorable occasion and how eager he is to meet our supporters.
“I remember the ball coming to me a lot and getting four tries at the end of it, and the Saints fans were actually really nice that day, clapping for me even though it was against them! The atmosphere is always good and now I’m going to be on the right side of it.”
Head Coach Paul Wellens welcomed Murphy to the Club and stated: “Lewis is an exciting young talent, coming through at Wakefield Lewis showed what he is capable of and deservedly got an opportunity to join the Roosters. I know he is a very hard-working and committed young man and desperate to get back to playing to show what he can do.
“We found out to our cost a couple of seasons ago how good he can be when he scored those four tries against us, and I’m sure he is going to thrive in our environment and will be a player that is going to excite fans.”
