SAINTS full back Jack Welsby wants to put last year's difficult domestic season to the back of his mind and focus on his job with England ahead of the two-match test series against Samoa.

It has arguably been Welsby’s toughest year in the red vee since making his debut as a 17-year-old at the back end of 2018.

Not only was the team bedevilled by poor form, but injuries decimated the side – and Welsby himself was struck down by a freak hamstring in the final quarter of the season when he slipped and overstretched to injure himself.

It was the first year Welsby has encountered without pocketing any silverware since establishing himself in the first team in 2018 – and now welcomes the end of season international showpiece.

Welsby said: “The test series is probably what us four lads coming in from St Helens need – and we are putting last year to the back of our minds now and focusing on the most important thing which is getting these games won.

“Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong last year.

“On a personal note and as a team, we just were not at the level we've been at for some reason and I'm sure the coaching staff are thinking about that now.

“But it's going to have to change – we can't carry on the way we've been going but obviously we've had a few players move on and few come in.

“But it's not my job to think about it now - I'm here playing for my country and will worry about that once we've played the test matches.”

Skipper for the first two tests against Tonga last year, Welsby said he was relishing pulling on the national jersey and playing under Shaun Wane again on Sunday.

He said: “It's probably my favourite time of year. We know each other pretty well now – most of us now have been together and you get a really close bond together which is good.

“I’ll be playing with George Williams, who is probably the best six in the comp and Harry Smith who has been the best seven in the comp.

“Then Mikey Lewis, so we have got three of the best half backs there so I've got no excuses.

“So I have to get up to their level and play up to what I know I can do.

“If we do that, we'll be a good opposition for Samoa.”

Welsby was looking forward to having Lewis on his side, after watching him give Saints the runaround last season “Mikey's a fiery character and rightfully won Man of Steel this year. He was the form player of the comp and has been brilliant,” he said.

“It will be good to get on the same side as him instead of chasing him around the field.”

Samoa have brought a strong squad over, allowing England to continue some momentum after playing Tonga last autumn – and with an Ashes series due Down Under next season there is plenty of excitement rippling through the squad.

Welsby said: “It's massive playing a nation like Samoa because they've got star-studded line up from the NRL so it's a good test for us.

“Tonga brought their strongest outfit last year and it's always a tough gig for them coming all the way over here and playing in English conditions, but I'm sure they'll be up for it and they've got the team to match.”

Although Welsby is still only 23, remarkably this is his seventh season involved in top-flight rugby league.

So far he has been a player reluctant to switch off the rugby for too long at the end of each campaign and take a break, but when asked if he will make a change after a gruelling 2024 – his answer should come as no surprise.

“No, not really. I think I just like playing rugby and I like feeling like I'm healthy and fit which is important for me in my career and obviously other than this year with a bit of a freak incident, I've been pretty injury free.

“And even with that I got back quicker than what I was supposed to do so what I do seems to be working and once my body gives me a sign to maybe slow down a little bit then that that's when it is, but hopefully that's in 12 years’ time at the back end of my career,” he said.