St Helens coach on Lewis Dodd future following fresh NRL speculation

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has responded to the latest speculation linking half-back Lewis Dodd to a move to Australia for 2025. 

Dodd, 21, signed a contract with Australian-based sporting agency SFX Sports earlier this year.

Speaking on Big Sports Breakfast, NRL journalist Phil Rothfield has reported that Dodd will leave the club at the end of next season to pursue a move Down Under. 

Additionally, according to The Daily Telegraph, St Helens boss Mike Rush has told the World Club Challenge winner to avoid NRL strugglers Wests Tigers, with his Super League contract expiring at the end of the 2024 campaign.

Tim Sheens’ Tigers currently sit at the bottom of the table without a win so far in 2023, while NRL great Benji Marshall is set assume the role as head coach in 2025.

Dodd, who kicked the winning field-goal against Penrith Panthers, was also recently named in Shaun Wane’s extended 40-man England squad ahead of their mid-season international with France.

Paul Wellens on fresh Lewis Dodd speculation

“I don’t pay it too much attention to be honest. Lewis is our player in 2023 and 2024,” Wellens said this week.

“My job here as a coach is to do all I can to improve not just Lewis, but all our players, for as long as they are here.

“And that’s no different with Lewis. The speculation is what it is. You can never ask for that to go away and that’ll happen.

“What is important for us as a team and Lewis as a player is to continue to work hard, keep performing well and the everything will take care of itself off the back of that.

“He’s obviously a fantastic player and someone who we hold in the highest regard.

“He’s a player that we’d love to be here not just next year, but for many, many years to come.

“But like I say, those situations take care of themselves down the track.”

Dodd returned from an ACL injury earlier this year, making his comeback in Mark Percival’s testimonial against Widnes before featuring in wins against St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith.

He has made 36 Super League appearances to date since his debut in 2020, scoring 14 tries.

Wellens continued: “I have had a chat with Lewis, and with other players in different circumstances, and what I want to do is help Lewis to perform, like I do every player.

“Can it be a little bit unsettling at times? Each individual reacts differently to those situations.

“But the speculation is there and we can’t do anything about that.”

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