Under a new regime, there are several St Helens’ players with big points to prove in the upcoming 2026 Super League season.
Having last won silverware in 2023 when they won the World Club Challlenge in Paul Wellens’ first game in charge, it’s been a difficult three years for St Helens with Wigan Warriors and Hull KR having a near choke hold on the trophies.
That’s led to change at Saints with Paul Wellens out and Paul Rowley in, and the club have also undergone their biggest recruitment drive in several years with a trio of Super League and trio of NRL signings made.
One of those is Shane Wright with his loan move being made permanent with the ex-Salford man already having legendary status at the club after his try versus Leeds Rhinos in last year’s play-offs.
Another recruit is Jackson Hastings, a former Super League Man of Steel, and he’s one of five players with big points to prove at the club in 2026.
Which St Helens players have points to prove in 2026?
Jackson Hastings
As someone who has been constantly linked with a Super League return and who is fondly remembered for his impressive spell in England, the pressure is surely on Hastings to deliver.
Not only based on his previous endeavours but also based on what St Helens have lacked in recent years, creativity and structure in attack. The veteran should be able to bring that and as arguably the highest-profile signing for 2026, he will be expected to.
Tristan Sailor
Sticking on the theme of the Saints spine and Tristan Sailor certainly has a point to prove, especially as he is off-contract at the end of the season.
Sailor scored 15 tries in Super League last year though six came against Salford and a further three came whilst playing on the wing. Four others came whilst at full-back, where he played during Jack Welsby’s injury before forcing the former England number one out of that position.
Having been signed as a six and again handed the six shirt, the Australian needs to show he can play there.
Jack Welsby
Tying in with Tristan Sailor is Jack Welsby, who was thrust into the halves for the play-offs last year given Sailor’s struggles in that role. Since then, Welsby has lost his England starting spot having had a poor performance in the first Ashes Test.
It’s now up to the 24-year-old to remind everyone why he is considered one of the best full-backs in Super League, not just for Saints to succeed but so he can start at the 2026 World Cup.
Jake Wingfield
With Morgan Knowles having departed for the NRL, there are big shoes to step into at loose forward and whilst the squad numbers may suggest that David Klemmer will play there, Jake Wingfield needs to be the man to step up and seize that role.
Injuries have hampered him at times but 2025 saw him play the most he had in three years and having had the off-season to rehab, the 24-year-old needs to make his mark and claim that loose forward role in 2026.
Alex Walmsley
After one of his best seasons in recent years, Walmsley earned himself a deserved Ashes call-up and the task now is to repeat that type of season.
The veteran was among the top metre makers in Super League and obvious questions will be asked of his age given he turns 36 in April, but the England international can answer those in kind if he replicates his 2025 campaign.
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