New contracts for 5 of Paul Wellens' Saints juniors

Taylor Pemberton, Matty Foster, and Jumah Sambou have extended existing terms, while McKenzie Buckley and Ben Lane have signed full-time contracts for the first time.

Hooker Pemberton, 19, second-rower Foster, 21, and outside back Sambou, 20, are on board until at least the end of the 2023 season.

Jumah Sambou representing Saints in Super League at Castleford Tigers in 2022. (Image: SWpix.com)

Back-rower or prop Buckley, 18, has signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year, while Lane, 19, who can play anywhere across the back line, is tied down for two years.

“Jumah and Taylor both played vital roles for us last season and, having developed through our Academy, they know what’s expected of them as Saints players and that is to display a consistent work ethic and commitment," said Wellens.

"Having both made their first-team debuts last season, we expect them to work hard for further opportunities.

“Matty has been really unfortunate in the past few seasons. He’s picked up a fair few injuries that have really limited his playing time, but we have some of the best people here to get him through this.

Matty Foster, left, defending while on dual registration with Leigh Centurions. (Image: SWpix.com)

"He hasn’t folded once, he has come in every day with a smile on his face and worked really hard to get himself back on the field. The resilience he’s shown during these tough times has strengthened his character and this will serve him well in the future."

Wellens added: "McKenzie and Ben were in and around the squad all year in 2022, helping us train and prepare for the season and they’ve been rewarded with contracts that they fully deserve.

"They’ve shown the attitude and commitment we expect, but also quality on the field.

"They now have a great opportunity and only need to look at someone like Jon Bennison as to what can be achieved through hard work and commitment.”

Backgrounds of Saints' rewarded 5:

Taylor Pemberton:

Pemberton joined the club from Leigh East and last season made 10 appearances for the under 19s, scoring one try.

He was drafted into the first-team squad for the first time in 2021 when Saints played Salford in the final regular season game of the year, but didn’t feature in the matchday 17.

2022 saw the return of reserves grade Rugby League, which allowed Taylor to continue to develop, with his senior debut coming against Castleford Tigers away from home.

A further appearance followed later in the year against Wakefield Trinity, where he again impressed.

Matty Foster:

The second-row forward signed from Blackbrook, has progressed through the scholarship programme and has represented England at U16s level as well as the Lancashire Academy.

Foster, who made his Saints debut in 2020 against Salford, has had a difficult time with injury having broken his jaw on week one of Super League in 2021 while playing on dual-registration with Leigh Centurions (now Leopards).

He then tore his ACL at the Magic Weekend while playing for Leigh.

After battling back from injury, while playing for the reserves this season, he again suffered a serious knee injury.

Jumah Sambou:

Signed from Woolston Rovers Golds, he is an outside back who has starred in the centre for the Academy.

He scored five times in as many appearances in 2021 after scoring seven times in 18 games in 2019.

He also played twice for the Reserves in 2020.

Jumah progressed into a reserve-grade player for the 2022 season and followed up his fine form with another eye-catching season, scoring seven tries in seven appearances.

His fine form across the Academy was rewarded with a senior debut in 2022 against Castleford Tigers, where he crossed for a try.

McKenzie Buckley:

Buckley made his debut for the first team in 2022 against Castleford Tigers having progressed through the Saints academy since 2019.

A prop forward when he joined, McKenzie has since moved into the back row and some eye-catching performances for the reserves and academy sides in 2022 saw him rewarded with his senior debut.

He played 12 times for the academy in 2022, scoring five tries with his hard running from the back row, as well as making four appearances for the reserves.

Ben Lane:

Lane joined the club from Halton Hornets and has progressed through the Academy system playing in the halves, at full-back, and on the wing.

He progressed through the system quickly, playing for the academy and scholarship sides in 2021, and then the Academy and Reserves in 2022.

With a safe pair of hands at the back, skilful in the halves and with pace and finishing ability on the wings, Ben has the quality to play across the back line and made two appearances for the first team in 2022.