2024 Season Preview: St Helens

2023 was a rollercoaster year for St Helens. A brilliant late resurgence towards the back end of the season where they went on to win their last nine league matches was sadly too little too late, as they agonisingly missed out on a place in the Betfred Super League Grand Final. This meant their valued Champions status Saints had retained for four seasons would be up for grabs, and it would be their fierce rivals Wigan Warriors who would emerge victorious.

It was also a season which would see major change heading into 2024, as club legends in veteran hooker James Roby and the reliable Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook both announced their impending retirements. They have since recruited Roby's replacement in Daryl Clark, who becomes only the third man to wear the number 9 shirt at St Helens in 30 years.

Club legend Paul Wellens' first season in charge showcased promising glimpses, and St Helens will have plenty of work to do if they are to build on last year. They should be aiming to get back to their best in 2024, as they hope to take back their crown.

The Saints ?

?? https://t.co/oy4sPdc2nd#COYS pic.twitter.com/STkvnPH145
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 24, 2024

Ins & outs

Ins

Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves), Tee Ritson (Barrow - loan made permanent), Matt Whitley (Catalans Dragons), Waqa Blake (Paramatta Eels).

Outs

James Roby, Louie-McCarthy Scarsbrook (both retirement), Wesley Bruines (Warrington Wolves), Will Hopoate (retirement), Dan Norman, Lewis Baxter (both Leigh Leopards), Jumah Sambou (Oldham RLFC), Taylor Pemberton (York City Knights), Matty Foster (Salford Red Devils), Daneil Moss, Eliot Peposhi (both at Bradford Bulls on trial), Dan Hill (released).

Ones to watch

2024 stars

The former Castleford and Warrington man Daryl Clark has experience of playing in finals - on both the winning and losing side - experience which makes him a great fit for this success-driven St Helens side. Clark was a stand-out in Warrington's 2019 Challenge Cup victory, scoring a crucial try, with his efforts earning him the Lance Todd Trophy. He will wear the number 9 shirt this year for Saints, replacing veteran James Roby, which will be big boots to fill. 

But Clark is already familiar with some of his new team-mates from the England international camps, so he should slot in right away in this star-studded Saints side, with his flair, desire to win, team-work but also the individual brilliance he can bring on his day. Can Clark deliver and help Saints win back their Champions title? 

Tee Ritson will be giving Paul Wellens a selection headache in 2024 with Tommy Makinson and Jon Bennison snapping up the number 2 and 5 shirts - but this speedy talent really went on to establish himself in 2023, making 13 appearances for the St Helens side. This stand-out Championship star finally got the opportunity to play Super League last year when Saints signed him from his hometown club Barrow - a place where he became a prolific try-scorer with 70 tries in nearly the same number of appearances. Looking to find his feet in 2024, this fast and fiery winger could have a lot to offer the Saints, and it will be exciting to see what lies in store for Ritson.

Next generation

Jake Burns' opportunities to break into St Helens first team were limited in 2023, as they had a settled squad despite injuries playing a part in their season. The young hooker has been awarded a first team contract for 2024 after impressing in the reserve side and on loan North Wales Crusaders during their end of season play-off surge. Working under and learning from the experienced duo in Daryl Clark and Moses Mbye, Burns will be hoping he can get a chance in the first team this season.

Defining dates

Saints had a few nervy, but short spells outside of the top six in 2023 but will look to right this wrong in 2024. They should be looking to cement a top six finish as a minimum early on, before challenging for the title and a Grand Final spot.

The Good Friday derby against fierce rivals Wigan Warriors is a fixture the Saints always set eyes on, although they need to ensure they are producing clinical performances around this to prevent any slip-ups - something which they cannot afford to do. The sides will also meet again in Saturday's Magic Weekend at Elland Road in August, and this will be only the second time since 2012 that Wigan have faced Saints at Magic. With bumper crowds expected in both of these highly-anticipated clashes, the spotlight will be on the two top sides to perform, but who will take the spoils?

Finally, following their semi-final heartache against Catalans Dragons back in October, Saints should be targeting both their home and away ties against Dragons, seeking revenge as they were unable to protect their Champions title.

Squad list

1. Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Waqa Blake, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Sione Mata'utia, 12. Joe Batchelor, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Moses Mbye, 15. James Bell, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Agnatius Paasi, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. Matt Whitley, 20. George Delaney, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 24. Jake Burns, 25. Tee Ritson, 26. Ben Lane, 27. McKenzie Buckley, 28. Dayon Sambou, 29. Will Roberts, 30. Jonny Vaughan, 31. Noah Stephens, 32. Leon Cowen.