St Helens have confirmed that young forward, Leon Cowen, will be staying with the club in 2026, after signing a new one-year deal.
Cowen is a Saints academy graduate and made his debut for the club earlier this year. Coming off the bench in a defeat to Leigh Leopards, he rounded off the season with his second Red Vee outing as he took to the field in the Round 27 fixture against Castleford Tigers.
Coming through the club’s youth system, the 21-year-old found game time both out on loan and in the reserves set up in the past two seasons, with moves to Swinton and Halifax helping his development.
The youngster is capable of playing almost anywhere in the forward pack, and with the departures of Morgan Knowles, Joe Batchelor and James Bell, the Saints are currently light on forwards and could call upon Cowen more often after he showed he has the ability to compete well in Super League.
St Helens forward “over the moon” to continue with club as senior squad members hailed
Cowen expressed his gratitude to the club for allowing him to stay on for next year, in what he hopes will be another season of development that include more first-team opportunities.
Speaking to the Saints club website, he said: “Last year was a big one for me, and to be able to continue in 2026 with Saints – I’m over the moon. I’m going into next year with more confidence, and I’m really excited to be part of something special.
“I know I came in a little later with the Academy, but straight away I knew this was the place I wanted to be, and it still is. At all levels, you know the expectation is to win because of the high standards we set.”
In a decision that was announced earlier this month, Paul Rowley is the new St Helens head coach, after he signed a three-year deal to replace the outgoing Paul Wellens. Cowen touched on what it will mean to work under a new boss, and how now is as good a time as any to show his talent.
“I’m always looking to do my best,” he said. “Having someone new in is exciting, and I’ll be looking to put my best foot forward.
The youngster also praised the more experience members of the Saints forward pack, and admitted he can’t thank them enough for how much they have taught him.
He said: “The likes of Big Al [Walmsley], Leesy [Matty Lees] and Morgs [Knowles] have been ridiculously good, haven’t they? It’s not what they say, it’s what they show, and the standards they set. I feel like I have learned so much from just watching them in training, and to then get to work with them – they’ve taught me more than they realise.”
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