Welsby would miss the next three to four months<\/a>, with that news throwing Saints\u2019 spine into disarray once again.<\/p>\nOne of the biggest talking points at St Helens has been the spine, something that Rowley himself admitted when addressing the media today (Tuesday), and it\u2019s now a hot topic once again after Welsby\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n
Previous coach Paul Wellens\u2019 apparent inability to nail his spine selection was evidenced by the fact Jack Welsby and Jonny Lomax were made half partners for the first time all year in round 27, and it seemed to be a lesson that Rowley had learnt from.<\/p>\n
Saints quickly confirmed that Jack Welsby, Tristan Sailor, Jackson Hastings and Daryl Clark was the preferred quartet for 2026 but those plans are now up in the air just one week into the season.<\/p>\n
Rowley admitted: \u201cThe spine chat has been going on for a long time here at St Helens and we\u2019ve nailed our colours to the mast somewhat, which has now been derailed, not through design but more through a bit of luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
That bad luck now means fresh options need to be explored, with Paul Rowley explaining what those plans may be.<\/p>\n
What options to St Helens have at full-back?<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got several options,\u201d Rowley announced, revealing them as: \u201cWe\u2019ve got Harry (Robertson), Nene (Macdonald) and Tristan (Sailor) there, who all play comfortably at full-back, so we\u2019ll decide on which way we take that one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, all three of those players have starting spots so shifting them to full-back creates a domino effect with Rowley confirming that any change may revolve around the minimal disruption to other positions.<\/p>\n
Asked if that was the plan, Rowley said: \u201cIt is, however, we have practised with different combinations and people in different spots, so I guess our job is to pick the players that A, have performed consistently in training and earned the right, and B, that will facilitate the rest of the team the best they can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe feel like we\u2019re comfortable that we\u2019re on the right path with that and we\u2019ll have a look at that this week against Leigh. As anything in rugby, the situation is fluid, so every week will present different challenges and every week will present us with different players that have stepped up in training or earned the right.\u201d<\/p>\n
One thing that he did underline was that he wants consistency in whichever route he takes given the fact this spine will be in place for up to 14 Super League games, if Welsby\u2019s return takes the full four months.<\/p>\n
The Saints boss said: \u201cWe\u2019ll try and get some consistency in that area because it\u2019s a long period of time, so we don\u2019t want to be swapping and changing if we can help that. If we can get some consistency in that area, that\u2019s the preferred route.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jonny Lomax plans explained<\/p>\n
He also spoke separately about Jonny Lomax, revealing the former captain will be used as a utility in 2026 though he didn\u2019t confirm if Welsby\u2019s injury means Jonny Lomax will be parachuted back into the halves.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not changed anything because Jonny has always been, in my eyes, that person who\u2019ll fill any of those gaps, so he\u2019s a half or a hooker,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll continue to use that versatility and the fact that he\u2019s the champion bloke and player that he is. He\u2019ll fill each role that he fulfils and he\u2019ll do it brilliantly, so I\u2019m not telling you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Should St Helens opt to move Tristan Sailor to full-back then it would open up a spot in the halves with either George Whitby or Jonny Lomax the likely man to fill that role. Alternatively, should one of Robertson or Macdonald move to full-back, Lomax would likely retain his utility role off the bench.<\/p>\n
Mikey Lewis\u2019 moment of madness, shock Super League results and World Club Challenge Preview \u2013 Click here to watch the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768085712_213_srl-logo.png\"\/)
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