“He was outstanding again” – versatile Jack Welsby hailed by St Helens boss

His latest treble increased his tally to seven tries in three games against the Black and Whites this season after also notching a hat-trick in round eight at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

REPORT: Hull 10-42 St Helens: Jack Welsby hat-trick helps Saints cruise to victory

And Woolf believes the 20-year-old’s ability to cover several positions is just the tip of the iceberg of his ability.

Woolf said: “Like he does every week, wherever we put him, he does a terrific job.

“I thought he was outstanding again and if you look at two of three tries that he scored, it is that ability to put himself in the right spot.

“His ability to put himself in the right spot and make opportunities is outstanding, that is something we can’t coach. He’s just got that as a bloke and as a player.”

It was Saints’ first match since lifting the Betfred Challenge Cup last month due to coronavirus-related issues and Woolf was delighted to maintain their pressure on Super League leaders Catalans Dragons with victory.

Woolf added: “I’m really happy with our blokes. We had 13 days from the Challenge Cup where we couldn’t do anything.

“We are short-staffed at the minute. We still have seven or eight players and two or three staff that aren’t allowed to be in just yet or are just coming back into the group.

“I’m really happy with the way we approached that game. We started with a great attitude, we backed ourselves with our shape and opportunities with the ball.”

It was a third straight league defeat for Hull, ahead of difficult schedule which features Catalans, third-placed Warrington and the improving Hull KR in their next three games.