{"id":19134,"date":"2024-02-09T01:32:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T06:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/super-league-2024-st-helens-jack-welsby-takes-great-expectations-on-him-and-team-in-his-stride-rugby-league-news\/09\/02\/2024\/"},"modified":"2024-02-09T01:32:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-09T06:32:22","slug":"super-league-2024-st-helens-jack-welsby-takes-great-expectations-on-him-and-team-in-his-stride-rugby-league-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/super-league-2024-st-helens-jack-welsby-takes-great-expectations-on-him-and-team-in-his-stride-rugby-league-news\/09\/02\/2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Super League 2024: St Helens’ Jack Welsby takes great expectations on him and team in his stride | Rugby League News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n<\/p>\n

\n

It says much about Jack Welsby that the Betfred Super League\u2019s title sponsors have him as joint-favourite to be given the prestigious Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award at the end of the 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n

Although still just 22, the St Helens full-back is already one of the stars of the competition and an established England international, not to mention a three-time Super League Grand Final winner and having Betfred Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge winners’ medals in his collection.<\/p>\n

Perhaps even more remarkable than everything he is achieved at such a relatively young age though is how unfazed Welsby seems by it all, responding to the bookmakers’ assessment of his Man of Steel prospects in a typically understated way.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Jack Welsby will remain at St Helens for at least four more seasons after agreeing a new contract.<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

“It’s nice,” Welsby, who was nominated for the accolade in 2023 but missed out to Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French, told Sky Sports<\/em>. “I don’t read too much into it, but I think if I play my best rugby then we’ll see where we are at the end of the year.<\/p>\n

“If I play well and the team does well, hopefully the individual awards will follow on. It’s not something I’m completely focused on, I’m more focused on winning more silverware with Saints.<\/p>\n

“That’s what we’re aiming for, and let’s just see how we get on.”<\/p>\n

That ability to stay grounded and maturity beyond his years goes a long way to explaining why Welsby, who made his Super League debut for St Helens as a 17-year-old in 2018 and signed a long-term contract extension late last year, has been entrusted with leadership roles for club and country.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player<\/p>\n


\n \"Check
\n <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Check out the top 10 tries from the 2023 Super League season.<\/span>
\n <\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

After serving as England captain for the first two Tests of last year’s 3-0 series win over Tonga in the suspension-enforced absence of George Williams, the other favourite to win Man of Steel this year, he was made one of Saints’ vice-captains along with loose forward Morgan Knowles.<\/p>\n

The pair will provide support to skipper Jonny Lomax, who has succeeded the now-retired James Roby, as well as links between head coach Paul Wellens and the playing squad.<\/p>\n

Welsby has heeded the leadership lessons from playing alongside the likes of Lomax, Williams and Roby, and although he admits to some disbelief this responsibility has come quickly it is a role he fully embraces.<\/p>\n

“It’s exciting,” Welsby said. “If you’d have said to me three years ago, I was going to be vice-captain [at St Helens] and captaining my country I’d have laughed at you.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \"\"\n <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
\n

\n If I play well and the team does well, hopefully the individual awards will follow on. It’s not something I’m completely focused on, I’m more focused on winning more silverware with Saints.<\/span><\/p>\n