SAINTS hooker Josh Eaves will leave the club following the end of his current contract to take up a new challenge in 2022.

Eaves has been a well-respected member of the squad for a number of years having been at the Club since he was 14.

He was part of the unbeaten Academy Championship side of 2016 alongside the likes of Regan Grace and Aaron Smith. Eaves progressed through the ranks to make his Saints first team debut in 2019 in a defeat to London Broncos before scoring his first senior try against Salford in 2020.

He made one appearance for the Club in 2021 and will move on to a new challenge in 2022.

Eaves said: “I’ve loved my time at the Club. I am a St. Helens lad and to have progressed through the academy system and to play for my home town club has been a dream come true.

“I’ve loved training with this special group of players every day and enjoyed playing my part in the clubs three-peat. I wish the club all the best in the future.”

Meanwhile 21-year-old centre, Nico Rizzelli, who made one appearance for the first team in 2020, left the Club earlier this year to take up a new challenge outside of rugby.

The Club wants to wish both Josh and Nico all the best in their future endeavours and will pay tribute to all our departing players in the coming days.