Leon Cowen

Joining the Saints back in April 2022 on an initial trial with the Under 18s, in his own words, Leon wanted to put his head down and get to work, with a strong desire to earn a shot at playing for the team as a late recruit.

Opportunities came for him and he featured in an Academy semi-final in his first year and earned the right to be a bigger part of the team in 2023 after impressing, so much so that he was named Academy captain too, and featured for Derek Hardman’s Reserves during the year as well.

Leon also played for the England Academy side that was victorious over France during the summer. He finished 2023 by leading the Saints out as skipper in the Academy Grand Final and raised the trophy high after securing the all-important win.

2024 saw Leon become a First Team Saint, but he was playing catch-up in the Pre-Season due to suffering a fractured knee in the victorious Academy Grand Final. Determined to make his time count, he appeared for the Red V’s Reserves and made his professional debut on dual-registration with Swinton Lions. He would go on to make 11 appearances in the Championship with the Lions, and started at loose forward in the Saints’ 2024 Reserves Grand Final victory too.

During the 2025 season, Cowen went out on dual registration to both Swinton Lions and Halifax Panthers, getting valuable senior match minutes under his belt. On Thursday, 17th July, against Leigh Leopards at home, Leon made his official St.Helens and Super League debut. Leon became the 1,299th man to play for St.Helens R.F.C., earning his heritage number, which, despite the result, meant the world to the young forward. In the final home match of the season, Cowen featured much more in a victory against Castleford Tigers for his second Saints appearance, and was elected by the players alongside two other debutants; he led off the team song.

In October 2025, the Club announced that Cowen had been retained with a one-year contract extension for the 2026 season.