i reckon Makinson will still be around in 3 years time and capable of producing at international level. The rest i agree with and i posted something similar on Warriors fans earlier in the week, Anyone who will be too old for the WC shouldnt be considered and look to build a side / squad for that

I wouldn’t be writing Makinson off yet either. He looks incredibly fit and he’s been sensational in an England shirt. We have to be careful not to go too far and strip out all the experience in the squad because as much as we need to plan for 2025, we also need to win whatever games we have beforehand.

It certainly should be the end for Tomkins, Micky Mac, Cooper, Hill and probably Watkins (due to injuries over the years catching up with him) but I’d keep Makinson and maybe Whitehead in our plans in the shorter term. I also would write off a player like Farrell, who is as fit as he’s ever been.

You’d imagine Lomax and Walmsley come back in to Wanes thoughts if they’re available and you’re then looking at guys in the WC squad like Oledzki, Batchelor, KPP and Lees to step forward. Outside of the squad the next guys in line and guys I’d like to see push themselves forward include Pryce, Newman, Wardle, Dodds, Harry Smith, Lewis, Leeming, Smithies, Havard, Byrne, Trout, Gannon and Cameron Smith. There’s some real talent there, they just need to take those next steps forward.

i could be wrong but i think Whiteheads body language after the defeat on Saturday, suggested he knew that was his last chance at winning the world cup. I thought he'd been fantastic and on Saturday didnt deserve to be on the losing side just on effort and commitment alone

there is some good depth in the possible squad, and it wont hurt is some of them are getting a gig in the NRL (KPP, Pryce, Farnworth, Young, Sutton, Radley)

with a potential back line of Welsby, Makinson, Wardle, Farnworth, Young, Williams, Dodds - backup Pryce, Newman, Smith, Marshall as it stands now

pack could look very different as likely Burgess, Hill, Cooper, McIllorum, Whitehead all potentially retired from International RL, so really need some of the younger guys to step up

He’s had a fantastic international career and if he wants to call it quits, he’s earned the right. If he goes along with the other experienced guys in the World Cup squad, the onus to help lead the side forward will likely fall on guys like Williams, Lomax, Bateman and Radley you’d imagine.

I do think the time is right for changes and it’s not just for changes sake but I think we have young players ready to take that next step. I’d love to see how a team along the lines of below could perform this next few years. I think there’s a decent argument to say it’s stronger than what we’ve just turned out in this World Cup.

Welsby
Young Newman Farnworth Makinson
Lomax Williams
Walmsley Leeming Oledzki
Bateman Farrell Radley

Subs
T Burgess Thompson Batchelor Knowles

Lads like Pryce, Wardle, Dodd, Smith, Havard, Smithies making up the rest of the squad.

No idea if he's been carrying a knock but in the limited time he had on the pitch Thompson didn't do much for me, certainly didn't look like the Saints player who smashed us way too many times to mention.
Hope he can regain that form but maybe he's another that the NRL has taken its toll on.

You wonder if his head knocks may have dented his confidence. He certainly doesn’t look like he runs with the same sort of vigour as he used to. I thought he was decent through the tournament but no more. When we get linked with him my first thought is ‘I’d take him’ but when you sit and weigh everything up, he is unlikely to earn his probable marquee salary.

Was interesting to hear Kallum Watkins suffered a bicep injury prior to the semi-final - might explain the poor performance. Maybe Wane should have considered moving Bateman to the centres but all irrelevant now.

We certainly have a nucleus of a decent team, although, Lomax, Walmsley and Farrell will all be 35 by the time the next world cup rolls around, so I'm not sure they'll make it.

Not a World Cup winning team though.

Not so sure about Makinson being available in three years time. He's played first team for 11 years now and at some point you would think his body won't be up to it. I appreciate he's a back and not a forward but when you look at his carries per game he may as well play in the pack!

Exactly the point I made earlier.

https://www.totalrl.com/st-helens-super ... world-cup/ Did they watch the same Welsby that I did?

https://www.totalrl.com/st-helens-super ... world-cup/ Did they watch the same Welsby that I did?

Bit of a daft headline to be honest. I thought he was pretty anonymous for most of the WC but his league form was outstanding. However, they will destroy him in the NRL

Welsby’s showing at the World Cup was great news for Saints really. I’m sure plenty had him on their lists to scout and other than the first game, he had a really quiet time of it. If he’d kept that first games form up, I think enquiries would’ve been flooding in but they’ll be wary now and will want to see a bit more.

Looking at the World Cup overall and then with his comments since, you could see somebody going in for Williams again.

Wests want Williams and Bateman

He was good up until the SF.

He's 21.

I think he'd do brilliantly over there. I know for a fact that he was seriously impressive in England training to the point where England staff made comments to the effect of he was even better than they thought he was. Radley has already said he's the one player he'd love to tale back to the Roosters from the whole squad.

Granted he was poor in the SF but then so too were lots of others.

That's harsh. Had one poor game over the WC. Will only get better as he gets older and no doubt be a pain for Wigan to deal with for as long as he stays at Saints. He'll do well in the NRL if and when that time comes.

There is a mistake in Welsby in every game but he will create and or complete chances multiple times in a game. He's a bit of maverick which for me isn't a problem as long as he continues to deliver. I'd have preferred him FB for the World Cup but that was never going to happen with Tomkins fit and in the squad.

Unfortunately he will have to go to the nrl to maximise his potential. I don't think it is a certainty that he will succeed but barring injuries, i'd be very surprised if he didn't prove to be a hit in the nrl as he has that bit of magic about him where he can make the game to look so simple.

Can't disagree with any of that to be fair.

I'd like him to go and test himself at the end of his current contract. He would be 24 then and a great age. Although we would lose a great player I'd love to see him do well over there. However from what I hear he is a real homebird and doesn't seem interested. Clearly a lot can change though especially if the money is thrown at him.

And the QF. The lad has got talent let's see if he can cut it in the NRL if, and when, he gets an opportunity. It is a massive step-up.

Going to the nrl didn't do Roby any harm but if he had gone I'm quite sure that he would have been an even better player.
I think that the same would apply if Welsby doesn't go.
It's a bit of a cliche but to be the very best you have to compete with the very best.
Maybe Welsby doesn't think that he has to "prove" himself? As you say he is only a young guy and with time on his side so no need to jump too soon particularly if he is enjoying himself at Saints.

NRL clubs are probably rubbing their hands at the fact they could get him cheaper after he didn’t have the best WC.

It did, it cost him a fortune.

Just got back in from an evening with Mal Meninga at Saints. Interesting that when he was asked who the next Aussie superstar to come through is he didn’t really want to comment.

However unprompted he turned the conversation to England and said Welsby and Pearce Paul were two outstanding talents. He confirmed that the NRL will 100% come knocking for Welsby and that KPP is definitely going there in 2024.

He also said he thinks Welsby will do really well over there (if he goes)