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2025 Season Preview: St Helens

30 Jan 2025

2024 was a challenging year for the former Champions, St Helens.

Paul Wellens’ men only just secured a Play-Offs place on points difference on the final weekend of the season, having uncharacteristically struggled for consistency and fluidity, while being dealt with numerous injury blows throughout the second half of the campaign.

But as the saying goes…“Never write off the Saints.” For a brief moment in their pulsating Play-Offs clash at Warrington, it looked as though Saints could still push for Old Trafford, after Mark Percival’s last gasp touchline conversion sent the game into golden point extra-time.

Warrington’s George Williams would go on break St Helens hearts with his decisive one pointer, but it still offered Wellens and his side some hope for a more positive year in 2025.

2025 is a reset for the Red V, as they look to climb back to the top of the Super League ladder and contest for silverware.

? to business

Readying up for @SuperLeague 2025 ?#COYS pic.twitter.com/59ltfL09be
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 2, 2025

This time, Wellens will be assisted by the highly rated Lee Briers as they welcome three high-profile signings - NRL trio Tristan Sailor, Kyle Feldt and Lewis Murphy to their already greatly experienced squad.

Will the Saints go marching in?

Ins & Outs

Ins: Tristan Sailor (Brisbane Broncos), Kyle Feldt (North Queensland Cowboys), Lewis Murphy (Sydney Roosters)

? Look who is back in the UK ?

Lewis Murphy is a Saint ? #COYS | @Murphylewis02 pic.twitter.com/wUpFtAXTHU
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) November 12, 2024

Outs: Lewis Dodd, Tommy Makinson, Sam Royle, Sione Mata’utia, Waqa Blake, Ben Lane, McKenzie Buckley

Ones to watch

The signings of NRL stars Kyle Feldt and Tristan Sailor are a huge statement of intent by St Helens as they come in to replace Tommy Makinson and Lewis Dodd.

Feldt, a prolific winger from Down Under, has been a one-club man until present day, with over 200 appearances for North Queensland Cowboys. During the 2024 season, the 32-year-old became Cowboys’ top try scorer and has achieved double digits for his scoring efforts over the last nine seasons. He also holds the individual record for most tries scored by a Cowboys player.

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As a renowned try scoring machine, he’s the man most teams would want in their corner. If Saints fans were ever worried about losing Makinson and his scoring ability, then Feldt’s stats should certainly put their mind at ease and excite them for what’s to come on their left edge.

Meanwhile, Sailor will take the iconic number 6 shirt and will look to showcase his exciting skillset. Sailor has searing pace to make big metres, clever passing to assist tries, and some highlight-worthy, try-saving tackling, and is set to partner general Jonny Lomax in the halves and compliment his captain's attributes.

In a season that presented plenty of challenges, Matty Lees stepped up as a leader in the middle of the field. The powerhouse prop starred through Saints’ struggles last year with 25 appearances and a set of mammoth playing minutes - deservedly earned his place in the Super League Dream Team. He will undoubtedly be a key player in 2025 with his grit, resilience and energetic nature.

Next generation

Versatile teenager Harry Robertson played more matches than most would have expected before the start of the campaign in the absence of the then injured Jack Welsby. Robertson readily took his chance, boding well for his long-term future at the club.

George Delaney, another proud product of Saints’ Academy, continues to develop as an impressive young prop forward. During the summer he was called into the senior England camp for the mid-season international trip to France, and further impressed by finishing the year on the shortlist for Super League’s Young Player of the Year.

#??1??9?? George Delaney

?2??? Saints Young Player of the Year
? Nominee for @SuperLeague YPOTY
??????? First senior England camp
2??6?? appearances in 2024
4??8?? total to his name so far

Saint George enjoyed a BIG year ?#COYS pic.twitter.com/hG9IY7Yjpd
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) December 19, 2024

Defining dates

Saints were unable to cement their Play-Off place until the final game of the regular season, so they should be looking to nail a top six finish as a minimum early on – rather than scraping one, before attempting to challenge for silverware.

The Good Friday derby against fierce rivals Wigan Warriors is a fixture the Saints always set eyes on. They triumphed 12-4 against the Champions last Easter, so will be aiming to do this again.

? #PhotosOfTheYear 2024

An unforgettable team arrival on Good Friday ? #COYS pic.twitter.com/5Dk78v4bI1
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) December 31, 2024

Meanwhile, they need to ensure they are producing clinical performances around this to prevent any slip-ups - something which they cannot afford to do in an intensely competitive Super League.

Saints fans should enjoy their trip to Magic Weekend this year, as we return to Newcastle to celebrate Magic Weekend’s 18th birthday. Interestingly, St Helens are joint-second on the list of most wins at St James’ Park with five out of seven. This time they’ll take on Leeds Rhinos in a Magic first – a game that always delivers an absorbing contest.

Finally, following their semi-final heartache against Warrington back in October, Saints should be targeting both their home and away ties against the Wolves, and will be out to seek revenge.

Squad list

1 Jack Welsby, 2 Kyle Feldt, 3 Konrad Hurrell, 4 Mark Percival, 5 Jon Bennison 6 Tristan Sailor, 7 Jonny Lomax, 8 Alex Walmsley, 9 Daryl Clark, 10 Matty Lees, 11 Curtis Sironen, 12 Joe Batchelor, 13 Morgan Knowles, 14 Moses Mbye, 15 James Bell, 16 Matt Whitley, 17 Agnatius Paasi, 18 Jake Wingfield, 19 George Delaney, 20 Lewis Murphy, 21 Noah Stephens, 22 Ben Davies, 23 Jake Burns, 24 Jonny Vaughan, 25 Tee Ritson 26 Harry Robertson, 27 George Whitby, 28 Will Roberts, 29 Dayon Sambou, 30 Owen Dagnall, 31 Leon Cowen, 32 Ciaran Nolan, 33 Alfie Sinclair, 34 Jake Davies, 35 Cole Marsh