ACADEMY KID TO STAR MAN
England debut caps Jack’s meteoric rise
FOR Jack Welsby, it does not seem two minutes since he was interviewed by media students about playing for England Academy.
Yet now the talented St Helens ace, 21, is ready to make a full international bow.
When he steps out against the Combined Nations All Stars this evening, it will cap a meteoric rise for one of the country’s brightest talents.
With Saints team-mate Jonny Lomax injured, reigning Super League Young Player of the Year Welsby dons the No.6 jersey on his England debut.
He hopes to show he is worth a World Cup spot in the autumn yet it’s barely three years since he caught the eye with England’s kids.
As a dazzling full-back, Welsby scored twice as the Academy defeated the revered Australian Schoolboys to claim the series at Headingley.
“I remember doing an interview before that game with some Leeds Beckett University students,” he recalled.
“I was talking about how I’d made one Super League appearance that year and how big a moment it was for me. To have kicked on three years down the line, lining up ready to start for England against the Combined Nations, is mad, if I’m honest. But it’s something I’m really proud of. I’m looking forward to it.”
Welsby has already won two Super League Grand Finals and a Challenge Cup along the way. And absolutely nothing seems to faze him. He’s been brilliant at full-back, centre, stand-off and even loose forward for the champions.
It would be no surprise if he delivered a classy display against Ellery Hanley’s assembled crew of Aussies, Kiwis and Tongans this evening.
Welsby believes playing alongside so many international stars with Saints has helped prepare him.
He said: “Whether it’s Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson or James Roby, who’s been there and seen it all, it’s definitely aided me.
“And there’s the Tongan lads like Konnie Hurrell and Will Hopoate. Everyone at the club’s had international experience so to pick them apart this week and learn the dos and don’ts has been good.
“The camp’s been brilliant. I just want to play now.” Saints team-mates Joe Batchelor and Matty Lees also debut while Huddersfield centre Jake Wardle, 23, is the fourth newcomer in Shaun Wane’s side.
England suffered a 26-24 defeat against the All Stars in the inaugural fixture 12 months ago.
It is the hosts’ penultimate game before the World Cup kicks off in October.
Boss Wane has controversially picked out-of-sorts Warrington scrum-half George Williams.
But he insisted: “I’ve made the call on George who, on his day, is one of the best in the world.
“If it doesn’t work out, it’s on me as head coach.
“This game is the start of the World Cup as far as I’m concerned.”
England are 2-5 favourites for tonight’s showdown at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, with the All Stars available at 5-2.