Jack Welsby

Jack Welsby
Personal information
Born (2001-03-17) 17 March 2001 (age 23)
Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight14 st 7 lb (92 kg)
Playing information
PositionFullback, Stand-off, Centre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2018– St Helens 138 65 0 3 267
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– England 13 4 0 0 16
Source: [1][2]
As of 6 August 2024

Jack Welsby (born 17 March 2001) is an English professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback, stand-off, centre or winger for St Helens in the Super League and England at international level.

Background

Welsby was born in Wigan, Lancashire. Playing for Shevington Sharks ARLFC as a child.

Playing career

Club career

In 2018, he made his Super League debut for St Helens against Hull FC. He played in the club's 8-4 2020 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan at the Kingston Communications Stadium in Hull. In the final seconds of play with the scores at 4-4, St Helens attempted a field goal which rebounded off the goal post. Welsby was the first player to the ball from the ricochet and he scored after the full-time siren to win the match for St Helens.[3][4]

Welsby played for St Helens in their 2021 Challenge Cup Final victory over Castleford.[5] In round 17 of the 2021 Super League season, Welsby scored a hat-trick in St Helens 42–10 over Hull F.C.[6] On 9 October, Welsby played for St Helens in their 2021 Super League Grand Final victory over Catalans Dragons.[7]

In round 20 of the 2022 Betfred Super League season, Welsby kicked a drop goal in golden point extra-time to win the match for St Helens 13–12 against bottom placed Wakefield Trinity. In September, Welsby was awarded young player of the year at the 2022 Super League awards ceremony.[8]

On 24 September, Welsby provided two try assists in St Helens 24-12 Grand Final victory over Leeds.[9] In the 2023 World Club Challenge, Welsby scored the opening try for St Helens in their 13–12 upset victory over Penrith.[10] In round 15 of the 2023 Super League season, Welsby made his 100th appearance for St Helens and scored two tries in the clubs 34–16 victory over rivals Wigan.[11] In round 20 of the 2023 Super League season, Welsby scored two tries for St Helens in their 22–18 victory over Leeds.[12] Welsby played 29 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season scoring 11 tries as the club finished third on the table. Welsby played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which ended St Helens four-year dominance of the competition.[13] On 20 December 2023, Welsby signed a four-year contract extension to remain at St Helens until the end of the 2027 Super League season.[14] Welsby played 23 matches for St Helens in the 2024 Super League season including their golden point elimination playoff final loss against Warrington.[15]

International career

On 15 October 2022, Welsby made his England debut against Samoa in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup scoring one try and providing two assists as England won the match 60–6.[16] Welsby played in all five matches for England at the tournament including the semi-final where he made a crucial handling error in golden point extra-time against Samoa. England would go on to lose the match 27–26 at the Emirates Stadium.[17]

In the absence of regular captain George Williams through suspension, Welsby was named captain for the first Tonga test on 22 October 2023, becoming the youngest ever captain.[18] Welsby played in all three tests as England won the series 3–0.[19]

References

  1. ^ "Player Summary: Jack Welsby". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ^ Rugby League Project
  3. ^ "Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens". BBC Sport.
  4. ^ "St Helens v Wigan Warriors". BBC Sport. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  5. ^ "How St Helens players have celebrated their first Challenge Cup win in 13 years". www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  6. ^ "Hull FC 10-42 St Helens - Jack Welsby scores hat-trick in win". BBC Sport.
  7. ^ "Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row". BBC Sport.
  8. ^ "Super League: Jack Welsby lands golden-point winner to seal St Helens comeback against Wakefield Trinity". www.skysports.com.
  9. ^ Bower, Aaron (24 September 2022). "St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final". The Observer.
  10. ^ "St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge". BBC Sport.
  11. ^ "Super League: St Helens 34-16 Wigan Warriors - In-form hosts earn ruthless derby win". BBC Sport.
  12. ^ "Super League: St Helens 22-18 Leeds Rhinos - Jack Welsby shines in intense encounter". BBC Sport.
  13. ^ "Paul Wellens Q&A: Saints review of year and a look to 2024". www.sthelensstar.co.uk. 14 October 2023.
  14. ^ "Jack Welsby reveals why he rejected NRL offers to sign St Helens deal". www.totalrl.com.
  15. ^ "'Soul destroying': Warrington eliminate St Helens in golden drop goal thriller". www.theguardian.com.
  16. ^ "Rugby League World Cup: England 60-6 Samoa - Welsby, Young, Watkins, Farnworth score". BBC Sport.
  17. ^ Unwin, Will (12 November 2022). "England 26-27 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup semi-final – as it happened". The Guardian.
  18. ^ "Jack Welsby to become England's youngest-ever captain in familiar territory; St Helens star 'extremely humbled'". Love Rugby League. 20 October 2023.
  19. ^ Willacy, Gavin (6 November 2023). "England's 3-0 win over Tonga shows why they are the third best team". The Guardian.
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