'Plenty of time': Welsby in no rush to join 'superstar' Young in NRL

St Helens fullback Jack Welsby has declared that England team-mate Dom Young was always “destined to be a superstar”, while refusing to rule out an eventual move to join him in the NRL.

The 21-year-old backs, who played together in junior representative teams, sparked excitement about England’s future prospects after re-uniting at senior international level in last year’s World Cup.

Welsby starred at five-eighth for England, while Young scored nine tries, including a record four tries against Greece, after winning the right wing berth ahead of Ryan Hall.  

After a man-of-the-match performance in last weekend’s World Club Challenge triumph against Penrith, Welsby is firmly in the sights of NRL clubs, while Young has been one of the most in-demand players since the World Cup.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirmed that the Tri-colours were set to announce the signing of Young from 2024, while NRL clubs are devising plans to lure Welsby to Australia after his Saints’ contract expires in 2025.

“We wanted to secure Dom and we have liked his style for the last couple of years,” Robinson told Triple M’s The Rush Hour on Wednesday.

“He is only 21, and we wanted to recruit those tall athletic outside backs, and he fitted that mould. We look forward to him coming over and playing next year.”

Welsby said he had known while playing together at a young age that Young would become a star and after moving from Huddersfield to Newcastle as a teenager in 2020, he was arguably the Knights’ best back last season.

“He has always been destined to be a superstar,” Welsby said of Young.

He has always been bigger, faster and stronger than everyone else.

“You could always tell that Dom was going to be something special. His athleticism is what sets him apart. He is so fast, so strong and I am not surprised that he has gone on to do what he is done.

“He is so professional, as well, with it so I am pretty keen that he is going to go a long way.”

St Helens CEO Mike Rush took umbrage with questions about Welsby’s future after last weekend’s 13-12 extra time WCC defeat of the Panthers, but the young star insists he is in no hurry to move to the NRL.

“It is not something I have given much thought too,” Welsby told NRL.com. “The success that we have had at St Helens is all I have really thought about.

“We have gone far, and we want to continue and make it five this year, after facing the Panthers. I just want to get on with it, play rugby and see what happens.

I am only young so there is plenty of time to make those decisions down the line.

"For now I am focused on playing with St Helens and winning more trophies.”

Despite the disappointment of bowing out to Samoa in the World Cup semi-final after a Stephen Crichton field goal in extra time, Welsby said he enjoyed his first taste of international rugby league and was hungry for success.

He also publicly backed England coach Shaun Wane to remain in the job, amid a review of the performances of the host nation’s men’s, women’s and victorious wheelchair teams.

“It was pretty heartbreaking at the end, but it was pretty special in a lot of other circumstances - a home World Cup straight after COVID,” he said.

“For me it can only go way and that is up with Shaun Wane in charge - a proud Englishman that he is. I think he is the right man for the job, and I have got every faith that we are going to go on an upward trajectory.”

Among the other stars for England were ball-playing Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, who turned his back on State of Origin to represent the English heritage of his Sheffield-born father.

Welsby said Radley had fitted into the England team easily and typified the player Wane wanted in the Test team.

“He is so tough but also very skillful, as well,” Welsby said. “The way we wanted to play was tough - play hard, but also express ourselves, and have a sense of freedom.

“Victor did that, he didn’t take a backward step and really took the badge to heart. He really proved to us that he wanted to play for us straight from the off, when he landed off the plane, and it was brilliant to play with him.”