SAINTS vice-captain Jack Welsby has two more games of rugby league to play before he can draw a line under what has possibly been his most challenging year since breaking into the first team.

Welsby is one of four Saints included in Shaun Wane’s England squad to face Samoa, with the first test at Wigan a week on Saturday – and will be looking to sign off in style.

Remarkably for someone who is still just 23, the England full back has now completed seven seasons in the red vee having made his debut under Justin Holbrook as a 17-year-old in 2018.

Since his real breakthrough season in 2020, when he shot to prominence with the match-winning Grand Final try, Welsby has tasted success all the way.

But 2024 was difficult – the team’s inconsistent form and injuries, including a relatively lengthy one himself, contributed to the first season he has endured without being picking up a trophy.

A lot of focus was on Welsby this year, after Saints had extended his contract by a further two years until the end of 2027 to stave off the attention of numerous NRL clubs.

But Welsby found it difficult to make an impact on the season, with the side’s attacking edge dulled and disjointed for large parts of the campaign.

However, there were some positive signs from the last game against Warrington, with Welsby spearheading some of Saints’ best attacking moments.

One swallow may not make a summer, nevertheless there was plenty there for coach Paul Wellens to be positive around for next term.

Wellens said: “Coming away from that game, and having watched it back a couple of times, there were some little bits of things that I love to see.

“Jack, himself personally, has probably had a frustrating season but has shown what a player he is.

“Like the team, individual players will grow immensely from the experience that we've had this year.

“If you look at the first three-four years of Jack’s career, it's all been pretty much plain sailing.

“I'm a firm believer, having played the game a long time myself, that you learn your biggest lessons when things don't go quite as well as you want them to - and I believe Jack will do exactly that.”