21 October 2023 , 05:00
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Stunned Jack Welsby was just keen to make sure he was in the team when Shaun Wane floored him with news he’d become England's youngest-ever captain.
At only 22, the brilliant St Helens full-back leads his country against Tonga tomorrow - even though the rising star’s never even been skipper of his club. With George Williams starting a two-game ban, Welsby has beaten the likes of Wigan skipper Liam Farrell, 32, and Canberra co-captain Elliott Whitehead, 35, for the honour. But he admitted: “When Shaun came over and spoke to me it did take me by surprise.
“It wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I just wanted to make the team more than anything. It's a dream come true. I’m really excited and, if I’m honest, really humbled.”
Welsby, who has already won three Super League titles, a Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge in his burgeoning career, has the added bonus of the game being held on his home turf at St Helens. He was shortlisted for Man of Steel this season but only made his England debut in last year’s World Cup when he was ever-present and excelled on the biggest stage. Welsby is similar to Andy Farrell, who became the youngest Great Britain captain when he led the Lions in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand aged just 21 in 1996.
He’s looking forward to pitting his wits against Tonga boss Kristian Woolf who was his Saints chief for three years before leaving last autumn. Welsby said: “Obviously, we had a real successful time under Woolfy and the more the seasons went on, the closer we grew and the closer the team grew. He was at the helm of that. It was brilliant. I enjoyed every minute of it. But I’ve let him know he’s public enemy number one this week. We’re going after him. There’s no friendship this week.”
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Similarly, current Saints boss Paul Wellens is Tonga’s No2 so they’ll have all the inside knowledge on how to try and rile Welsby. Welsby, meanwhile, says it's disappointing that Saints team-mates Jonny Lomax, Mark Percival and Alex Walmsley all pulled out of the series due to injuries but unavoidable. He said: "It’s one of those things.
Jack Welsby (second left) celebrates with George Williams and co after scoring for England against Samoa in last year's World Cup (Getty Images)"Jonny played every single game this year for Saints. And with the injuries he’s had and the way he prepares for games, it’s obviously going to take a toll on his body. He doesn’t feel he can put himself out there. It’s not from a lack of wanting to. It’s just a lack of being able to.
"It’s similar with Mark Percival. He’s been outstanding all year and then picks up a sternum injury. Big Al shouldn’t really have played at the back end of the year. People might think they’re pulling out for no reason but it’s completely justified. It’s almost that they can’t. I’d have loved to have played with those blokes and I’m sure they’d be in and around here if they were fully fit.
"But I’m also very excited to play with the people we’ve got coming in. We’ve got young Harry Newman making the squad - I say young but he’s older than me - who’s a really exciting talent and has been unlucky to miss out in recent years. It’s exciting either way."
Ahead of Sunday's game, England have suffered a blow with the NRL’s top tryscorer Dom Young out injured. But that means Catalans’ prolific Tom Johsntone gets his first cap since scoring a debut hat-trick against France in 2018. Warrington duo Matty Ashton and Ben Currie plus Wigan prop Tyler Dupree miss out after Wane cut his squad to 19 with Leeds centre Harry Newman and Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis set for debuts.