{"id":315662,"date":"2025-12-14T13:57:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T13:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/315662\/"},"modified":"2025-12-14T13:57:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-14T13:57:14","slug":"st-helens-best-2026-back-line-after-nene-macdonald-signing-with-young-star-set-to-miss-out","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/315662\/","title":{"rendered":"St Helens’ best 2026 back-line after Nene Macdonald signing with young star set to miss out"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

St Helens have added Nene Macdonald to their ranks for 2026 sparking questions of what their strongest back five looks like next season.<\/p>\n

The Papua New Guinean international follows Salford head coach Paul Rowley to Saints<\/a> with the pair reuniting and joining former Red Devils Deon Cross and Shane Wright.<\/p>\n

Cross will likely be competing with Macdonald for a starting spot in the backs, be that at centre or on the wing with Paul Rowley having a number of players who are versatile across the back line.<\/p>\n

Youngster Owen Dagnall is one of those, though he put in his best displays on the wing, where the likes of Lewis Murphy and new signing Jacob Douglas will also want to be proving a point.<\/p>\n

Until we see how Paul Rowley lines his team, particularly his halves up, we won\u2019t know with certainty who plays at full-back though many expect Jack Welsby to take that role.<\/p>\n

That leaves Tristan Sailor<\/a> in either the halves, as the utility nine, or as another wing option.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve assessed the depth and likely starter at full-back, winger and centre to compile what we think is the best St Helens\u2019 back-line for 2026 after Nene Macdonald\u2019s signing.<\/p>\n

What St Helens best back five could look like in 2026<\/p>\n

Full-backs: Jack Welsby, Tristan Sailor<\/p>\n

This could be the biggest decision of the lot for Paul Rowley with Jack Welsby the clear favourite for the role but during his time of the sidelines in 2025, Tristan Sailor filled it brilliantly. Sailor was signed as a six and has again been handed that shirt number so it seems likely that England international Welsby will anchor the back-line.<\/p>\n

Wingers: Kyle Feldt, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy, Owen Dagnall, Jacob Douglas<\/p>\n

There are far more options on the wing, including Tristan Sailor and new signing Nene Macdonald and it could be that Macdonald is utilised here if the likes of Lewis Murphy and Deon Cross continue to struggle with form and fitness. Kyle Felt seems a lock on the right wing, Owen Dagnall is the future on the left wing, but the present is the big question.<\/p>\n

Centres: Mark Percival, Nene Macdonald, Harry Robertson<\/p>\n

Nene Macdonald arrives as a centre but whether Saints sacrifice young star Harry Robertson<\/a> or the reliable Mark Percival is to be seen, which is perhaps how and why the PNG man could find himself on the wing. At times during the season, he\u2019ll certainly play in the centres but when everyone is fit, he may be moved to the wing.<\/p>\n

Starting Five: Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Nene Macdonald<\/p>\n

Nailing down that left wing spot will be the big challenge for Paul Rowley with Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy and Owen Dagnall all making claims for it, but so long as Mark Percival continues to impress at centre, it arguably makes most sense to get your X-factor signing of Macdonald into the action by forcing him onto the wing.<\/p>\n

Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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