2024 Super League Season Preview: St Helens

Super League’s history makers St Helens look to reclaim their throne in 2024.

Coach

Paul Wellens

Key Player

Jack Welsby

2023 results

League – 3^rd (40 points)

Play-Offs – Semi-Final

Challenge Cup – Semi-Final

Arrivals

Waqa Blake, Daryl Clark, Tee Ritson, Matt Whitley

Departures

Lewis Baxter, Wesley Bruines, Matty Foster, Dan Hill, Will Hopoate, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Daniel Moss, Dan Norman, Taylor Pemberton, Elliot Peposhi, James Roby, Jumah Sambou

2023 was bittersweet for the Saints. After years of dominance they reached the height of their powers through a brilliant World Club Challenge victory in Australia. However, their chokehold on English rugby league was grounded to a holt at the hands of their bitter rivals Wigan Warriors.

The task of getting back to the summit looks larger than it has for a while, as they must battle on without their general, club legend James Roby. After 20 years and 551 appearances, their captain and club legend retired at the end of last season.

Joining Roby in deciding to end their playing careers were Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Will Hopoate.

But life at the club must go on, and the gears have been well and truly in motion for a while, as head coach Paul Wellens looks to steer his ship back in the right direction.

Softening the blows of departures, it was soon announced that Daryl Clark will replace Roby at number nine, and their star halfback Jonny Lomax would be given the captains armband after signing a new deal with the club.

After four straight Super League titles, it was heartbreaking for St Helens to pass the baton over to their rivals, and in Wellens’ first season in charge it wasn’t a good look. The dominance had to end at some point, and it’s now all about how they react to the set back.

The Red V’s were pipped to league leaders shield and even to the top two last year by virtue of points difference, finishing third meant they had to play an extra game in the play-off run. The club were disappointed with their seven league losses, as it was the most they had experienced in a single season since 2017.

However, 2023 certainly wasn’t a failure. Alongside the World Club Challenge they came close to all three of the other trophies on offer, under an inexperienced manager. With a year as head coach under his belt, Wellens has freshened his team up with some smart additions, and made his pack look like a real force for the new season.

St Helens have only made four new signings, the lowest total in the league. However, everyone of them holds its own weight. Clark from Warrington to replace Roby is excellent business, he fits the model and also weakens a rival.

Furthermore, the additions of Matt Whitley from Catalans and Waqa Blake from Parramatta Eels both look like being absolute steals.

And finally after an excellent campaign last year, Tee Ritson made his move to the club permanent, adding to the strength in depth on the outside edges.

The biggest piece of transfer business was securing a new deal for their star man Jack Welsby, who was receiving heavy interest of the NRL. The talented youngster has instead dedicated his close future to helping his boyhood club continue its success.

Looking ahead to the early months of the season, the Saints have been given a favourable draw on paper, hosting newly promoted London Broncos on opening weekend, before trips to Huddersfield and Leeds sandwich games against Leigh and Salford at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Wellens will hope to have maximum points on the board before his side host rivals and champions Wigan Warriors at the end of March, where we could see the first real twist in an exciting 2024 title race.

 

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