Jack Welsby reveals the inspiration he is drawing from idol Sam Tomkins

Jack Welsby says he can take plenty of inspiration from his idol Sam Tomkins as he looks to become England’s long-term full-back.

It’s hard to believe that Welsby is still only 22 years of age given the fact he has won three Super League Grand Finals, a Challenge Cup, played almost 100 games for St Helens and represented his country in a World Cup.

Welsby played in the halves for England at last year’s World Cup, with then captain Sam Tomkins being the starting full-back.

But with Tomkins hanging up his boots at the season’s end, Welsby is set to become the country’s premier full-back in his preferred position.

Welsby admittedly idolised Tomkins when growing up as a Wigan fan as a kid, and feels he can learn plenty from the two-time Man of Steel winner.

“It is probably more off the field than anything, just the way he managed his body,” Welsby said.

“He is ultra professional”

“I think from my time at Saints and then coming here with England, the two most professional people I’ve seen are Sam and Jonny Lomax. There’s no coincidence why they are two of our best players ever.

“I’m sure if he could keep coming then he’d keep coming, and I’m sure he’s going to be there for Catalans this year and is going to be ripping it up with them.

“It’s just his professionalism, it gives me quite a lot of things that I’m not quite good at yet, that side of the game off the field.

“I like playing rugby but there’s probably things that I could do better off the field to get to their level.

“I don’t mean anything daft but just things like pre-hab and getting your body right. Obviously I’m young and probably haven’t picked up as many bumps and niggles as they have in their career, but I’m sure I can get on top of it a lot better than I do at the moment.”

Jack Welsby Snr

Welsby is just one of three players from last year’s World Cup squad named in Shaun Wane’s 19-man England squad to face France in a mid-season test on Saturday – the other two being Wigan’s Kai Pearce-Paul and newly-appointed captain George Williams.

Welsby doesn’t see himself as a senior England player yet, but he’s excited to assist skipper Williams this weekend.

“I probably don’t see myself as that (senior player),” Welsby said.

“With my role, if it is in the halves or at full-back or wherever, I’m just going to try and give my input and see the game the way I see it and try to help everyone as much as I can.

“We need to look after each other in a way, being similar age. I’ve been having a laugh and joke with George about being one of the older players, so I’ll just try to help him through his first game as captain, which should be good fun.

“It’s another good opportunity to play with some lads I’ve played with growing up through the England ranks, so to see them making their England debut is timely and it is something I’m really looking forward to.

“The likes of Morgan Smithies, Tom Holroyd, Harry Smith… Probably half of them from when we played against the Australian Schoolboys. I’ve got some really good memories there, so I’m hoping to create some more this weekend.”

All roads lead to France

Welsby enjoyed his first taste of international action at the World Cup last autumn. It is all about learning lessons from their semi-final defeat to Samoa, and taking that in to the 2025 World Cup, which will be hosted in France.

Reflecting on last year’s World Cup, Welsby told Love Rugby League: “I felt really fortunate to be in there and I was really excited.

“The way we started was exceptional and I couldn’t have asked for anything better and then the way it ended sort of dispersed and the bubble burst.

“Looking back on it now harshly, there’s a lot of improvements there for us individually and as a squad.

“In a lot of ways, it is disappointing but a lot of excitement still. For myself personally, I’m still young so hopefully I can get in the 2025 squad and have another crack at it.”

England face France in the international double-header in Warrington on Saturday. The women’s test gets underway at 2pm, followed by the men’s at 4:30pm, both live on Sky Sports.

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