Young half-back pens four-year Saints deal

Young St Helens half-back Lewis Dodd has signed a new four-year deal with the club.

Dodd, 18, starred in the Saints’ academy side’s run to the Grand Final last season, scoring 21 tries and 116 goals in 25 matches.

That earned him a call up to the England Academy squad and he has since been training regularly with the first team.

He said: “As a young kid, my dream was and still is to play Super League and to sign for a club like St.Helens is an ‘over the moon’ type feeling, so I am really pleased.

“This club has shown a lot of belief in me and I want to thank my mum and dad and Derek Traynor, my Academy coach who have helped me mature as a player. Reserve grade rugby is the next step for me and hopefully I can do well in that and further my game to help me play first team rugby.

“If I get my chance in the first team, you have to grab it with both hands and that is what I will be looking to do.”

A former Halton Hornets junior, Dodd is now committed to Saints until the end of 2023.

Coach Kristian Woolf added: “Doddy is a fantastic talent. He had a great season in the Academy last year and has already impressed in the Reserves in 2020.

“He is training with the first team squad and is learning from the best in Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages week in week out. He is only 18 so has lots to learn but if he works hard there is no doubting his talent and we are confident he can have a hugely successful Saints career.”