Paul Wellens hailed Jack Welsby’s growing influence after St Helens stormed to a 46-6 win away to Castleford Tigers in the Betfred Super League.
The 23-year-old full-back is firmly established as a crucial member of Wellens’ team in what is already his eighth season since making his debut in 2018, and played a key role as Saints made it two wins from two to start the 2025 league season.
Welsby crossed for one of St Helens’ nine tries in Saturday’s Round 2 clash, along with assisting four others, and head coach Wellens underlined how big an impact the England international is making on the squad.
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“We all know how talented a player he is, but his infuence on the group is growing week by week – not just as as a player, but as a leader within the group,” Wellens said.
“He’s learning a lot about himself and he continues to learn every day.
“I thought how the halves, Jonny [Lomax] and Tristan [Sailor], introduced Jack into the game – a lot of people probably don’t see that, but they’re getting Jack the ball with time and space and that’s where he’s at his most dangerous.
“We’ve just got to continue on in that fashion.”
While Welsby has made the No 1 shirt his own in recent years, St Helens already have another potential full-back of the futute knocking on the door in Harry Robertson.
The 19-year-old led the way with two tries against Castleford on the back of making 94 metres with an average gain of seven metres, plus nine tackle busts and three clean breaks.
Much like how Welsby played in different positions to help his development in the early stages of his career due to the presence of Lachlan Coote, Robertson has featured at centre in St Helens’ three Super League and Betfred Challenge Cup matches so far this season, and Wellens is delighted to see him seizing this chance.
“All of the young players, we want to provide them with opportunities, but then the onus is on the players themselves to take them,” Wellens said.
“Harry has done exactly that and if he continues to perform, he continues to play – it’s as simple as that, really.
“His favoured position is full-back, but I don’t think the experience he is getting out there, moving forward, will hurt him in any way.
“The guy in the full-back shirt at the moment is one of the best players in the world, so I think Harry will be happy to get in wherever he can.”
