The best centre, winger, full-back & half: Why Jack Welsby is England’s future
Jack Welsby is St Helens’ “best centre, winger, full-back and half” and can shine for England at this autumn’s World Cup.
That’s the view of England captain Sam Tomkins who rates the 21-year old as one of the best players British game.
Welsby grasped his opportunity to shine for the champions this season following a season-ending injury to young Saints scrum-half Lewis Dodd on Good Friday.
He was named in the Super League Dream Team, was awarded this year’s Super League Young Player of the Year, and made the final three-man for the prestigious Steve Prescott Man of Steel award.
“Jack’s been outstanding,” Tomkins told Love Rugby League.
“He’s proven now for long enough that he’s not just a one-season wonder. He’s played wing, centre, half, nine and he’s even played 13 for Saints at times.
“Jack doesn’t just fill in positions, he goes and makes an impact in whatever position. He’s playing in a very good St Helens side and whichever position he plays, he makes them better.”
Jack Welsby continues to impress
Tomkins has revealed how Welsby impressed with his all-action display as Saints won last weekend’s Grand Final against Leeds, a record fourth Old Trafford win in a row.
“I spoke to him after the final and we were speaking about GPS numbers,” Tomkins explained.
“I said to him ‘how do you move so fast and cover so much ground?’ and he replied with ‘I don’t want to let people down’. That’s the competitor in him, you can see that. That’s not taught, that’s natural.
“He’s a competitor, he wants to win every battle he’s in. I think that’s what sets him as one of the very best in Super League at the moment.”
Wane has confirmed that Welsby is battling it out with Mark Sneyd and George Williams for the two half-back spots. Welsby will start against Fiji in England’s one warm-up game at Salford next Friday.
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