Welsby can shine on world stage

Jack Welsby has been an integral part of St Helens' recent success. Still only 21, Welsby has played an important role in the club's last three Grand Final victories and this year established himself as a genuine star of Betfred Super League. 

The Saints youngster also this year emulated current England captain, Sam Tomkins, in winning his second consecutive Young Player of the Year award - as well as being shortlisted for the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award.

Your 2022 Young Player of the Year: St Helens' Jack Welsby winning for the second consecutive year ? pic.twitter.com/ZAMeTlPqIA
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 20, 2022

Welsby has the world at his feet and now has the chance to showcase his supreme talent on the grandest stage - the Rugby League World Cup. 

Had the World Cup gone ahead as scheduled in 2021, there may have been question marks about Welsby's role in the England squad. But after his performances in 2022, there's no debate.

Welsby has been in awe inspiring form this year and is set to be an important part of the England set up during the World Cup. He showed glimpses of his endless ability during last week's warm up match against Fiji and on Saturday, he gets the chance to face off against some of the best players from the Southern Hemisphere. 

In these shores, there's no doubt Welsby can be the best English player for the next decade. But across the pond, he's so far gone under the radar. For now. 

Welsby's coach for the past three years and current Tonga head coach, Kristian Woolf, expects the versatile Welsby to shine when England begin their World Cup campaign against Samoa at St James' Park on Saturday.

Welsby's cover tackle ??

Great defence by @Saints1890, great play all round #SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/5kPYzcVZBi
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) March 14, 2022

"There's a number of players in the England Squad that I expect to go really well for England and Jack Welsby is at the forefront of that," Woolf explained. 

"He's been outstanding. He's still a young man but he's been absolutely outstanding for St Helens for the last three years and involved in some really big moments in the biggest games of all during the time that I've been there. I think he is certainly one to watch."

Inside the England camp, those thoughts are echoed by Sam Tomkins. And Welsby - who has long been a vocal admirer of the two-time Man of Steel winner Tomkins - is being backed to reach the same heights that have made Tomkins a prominent figure across the game for well over a decade. 

"He's already fast becoming a star of Super League, but if he can do it on the international stage, that would cement him as a real topflight player," Tomkins said of Welsby. 

"He's done it for a few years now at St Helens, and for those few years we haven't had international rugby - so now it's Jack's chance to prove it. Everyone in England knows how good Jack is - but I want Jack to show the rest of the world what he can do."

Watch Tomkins, Welsby and the rest of England's Super League contingent against Samoa in the opening match of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup this Saturday live on BBC 1, 2.30pm KO.