NRL market watch: St Helens shut down Dragons plan to snare UK star Jack Welsby

Just days after St George Illawarra began negotiations with one of the Super League’s brightest young stars, St Helens have shut down the Dragons poaching raid.

WCC man-of-the-match Jack Welsby. NRL Imagery

St George Illawarra and any other NRL club hoping to get their hands on England star Jack Welsby will have to be more patient than they thought after it emerged that he had secretly agreed to a long-term extension with St Helens.

This masthead reported this week that St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan had identified Welsby as a potential signing at the end of 2025, when it has been widely reported his current contract expires.

It is understood they were not the only NRL club eyeing off a move for the Saints star – at least one other Australian team is understood to have had Welsby high on their hit-list of potential targets for 2026.

However, sources close to St Helens confirmed Welsby had recently agreed to a contract extension to stay in Super League until the end of 2028.

The Dragons hopes of securing Jack Welsby after 2025 have been shut down, after the young English star signed an extension with St Helens until the end of 2028. Picture: Getty Images

Welsby has effectively agreed to a three-year extension that will mean he remains in England for at least another four seasons, scuppering the hopes of NRL sides hoping to get their hands on one of Super League’s biggest stars.

It is understood that Welsby’s new deal contains no out clauses, which means the only hope an NRL club has of signing Welsby before 2028 would be to pay a significant transfer fee.

However, even that is unlikely to be enough given St Helens have a history of holding onto their players and requiring them to see out their deals.

Welsby also appears committed to remaining at St Helens given he has agreed to an extension and recently laid out his love for the club in an interview with former teammate James Graham.

Any NRL club looking to poach Welsby would have to pay a significant transfer fee. Picture: NRL Imagery

While Welsby conceded he was intrigued by the challenge of playing in the NRL, he also made it clear he loved playing in Super League and pulling on a St Helens jersey.

“I’d be lying if I was saying NRL was not something that interested you and testing yourself against the best,” Welsby told The Bye Round with James Graham.

“I am still contracted to St Helens and it would be a hard place to leave because I love it so much. I just want to be happy, I want my family to be happy.

“They get a lot out of watching me play at St Helens. There is a lot more than money and just myself that goes into it.

“All my best mates are there – we are all genuinely best mates. We have not got no dickheads.”

EXCLUSIVE: DRAGONS IN TALKS WITH SUPER LEAGUE’S BEST PLAYER

—Dean Ritchie

In a stunning development, St George Illawarra has started negotiations to lure St Helens superstar Jack Welsby to the NRL.

And Welsby – rated the best player in Super League – was issued a glowing recommendation from Dragons and Kangaroos champion, Ben Hunt.

Welsby was a standout in St Helens’ shock World Club Challenge win over NRL premiers Penrith earlier this year while also super impressive for England in last year’s World Cup.

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan says Welsby could play five-eighth or fullback for the Dragons.

The Dragons will wait for the NRL’s expected punishment for five-eighth Junior Amone before taking Welsby discussions to another level.

Amone was found guilty of a hammer attack and is likely to face a lengthy suspension, or deregistration, by the NRL integrity unit.

Just 22, Welsby comes off contract after 2025 but the Dragons privately feel they could secure the English international early. He has also played wing and centre during his 117-game Super League career.

“Welsby is the English Test five-eighth and fullback,” said Flanagan.

Jack Welsby celebrates St Helens' World Club Challenge win over Penrith. Picture: NRL Imagery

“He is only young so could come over here and have a long career.

“We are definitely looking outside the square and have gone as far as going to the UK with Jack Welsby. We’ve expressed some interest there and made contact with his manager.

“He is a super talent with attacking brilliance. We know there will be a lot of interest when he comes off contract but we might have to push now to see if we can get him.

“In the World Cup, he was outstanding. Even Benny Hunt said he was hard to handle when Australia played them.

“The challenge is getting some of those English players out of their country. Once they’re here they love it but getting them here is the challenge.

“We will see what happens with Junior Amone. If things don’t go well we will go hard for Jack Welsby. He is a real danger carrying the football.”

Welsby spoke about his interest in joining the NRL during an interview with James Graham on his Bye Round podcast last weekend.

“I’m contracted at Saints for two years so my main focus at the minute is keeping myself fit, keeping myself right …. but I’d be lying if saying NRL is not something that interests you and testing yourself against the best,” Welsby said.

WCC man-of-the-match Jack Welsby. NRL Imagery

“It is an interest, isn’t it? It’s a decision that I’ll come to if it ever pops up.”

Newcastle’s English signing Will Pryce raved about Welsby.

“Obviously, probably the best player in Super League would be Jack Welsby,” Pryce said. “I think he won four grand finals back-to-back. He won them the grand final against Wigan in 2020. He is a great player and a really good competitor.

“I am sure one day, if Saints manage to let him go, he will be one to look out for.”

The Dragons have emerged hot favourites to sign Addin Fonua-Blake and await a final decision from the giant Warriors prop. The Bulldogs and Wests Tigers withdrew their interest this week.

Asked for an update on Fonua-Blake, Flanagan said: “I have seen these things go different ways but I’d like to think we’re a good chance. I’m not quite sure what the timeline is but I like to know sooner rather than later.

“We’re in good shape cap-wise. We’ve got a bit of room to move.”