St Helens hand new deal to young forward Sam Royle

St Helens forward Sam Royle has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the Super League champions for 2023.

The 22-year-old has made five appearances for his hometown club since making his first team debut in 2021.

Royle has had the unique privilege of captaining the club at every level – from the scholarship and academy to the reserves and the first team. He led Kristian Woolf’s first team as a young Saints side narrowly lost at Castleford earlier this season.

Royle said: “I am very happy to be here. I want to keep improving and push my way into the team.

“I was really proud to get the opportunity to captain the first team and it wasn’t expected. It was a massive moment for me and my family and it was a bit of payback to them for all their hard work with me too.”

Kristian Woolf happy to see Sam Royle extend his contract

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf said: “We are really happy to keep Sam with us. He is such a good person and trainer. He’s extremely intelligent and his work ethic is why he has got to where he has today.

“He understands the game and he has progressed through the Saints system. He has worked his way into the first team squad which is a great reward for him.

“A show of his character and personality is the fact he has captained the club at all levels and him signing with us again for 2023 is great for him and the club.”

Royle follows the club’s re-signings of Don Norman, Ben Davies, Konrad Hurrell, Sione Mata’utia, Matty Lees, Jack Welsby and Lewis Dodd.

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