St Helens' Lewis Dodd hints at when he'll decide on potential NRL move

14 January 2024 , 20:09

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St Helens' Lewis Dodd has been linked with a switch Down Under (Image: Getty Images)

Lewis Dodd has refused to rule out an NRL move but says his main aim is making St Helens Super League champions again.

The scrum-half, 21, is out of contract at the end of this year and has been heavily-linked with a switch Down Under. It is no surprise after his match-winning drop-goal downed NRL premiers Penrith in their own backyard last year to clinch the World Club Challenge. Saints, who hope to keep the talented No7, have made a film on February’s historic 13-12 win in Sydney.

Speaking after the premiere of Saints Down Under: History Makers, England hopeful Dodd was inevitably asked about his own future - and whether he will make that move to Australia. He said: “I don’t know. You never know what is around the corner. What I’ve got to focus on - and what the lads have to focus on - is we’re going into a new season and we’re not champions.

“If we talk again at the end of the year and we’re champions, that’s probably a better time to talk. But we’ve got a job to do this year and that’s what me and the rest of the lads are focused on.”

Saints’ four-year hold on the Super League title was ended by Wigan but Dodd is confident they can bounce back. They kick-off the new season against newly-promoted London next month. Buoyed by England star Jack Welsby’s decision to turn down his own NRL overtures and sign a bumper new deal, Paul Wellens’ side are ready to fire.

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St Helens' Lewis Dodd (Getty Images)

Dodd said: “The last four years it’s been everyone chasing us so it has brought a different outlook to the comp’ this year. But I think it will be brilliant for us. It’s a different outlook on how we approach games and for us, every game, every season is the same in the sense we want to be winning trophies. We want a few more nights like that [Penrith].”

Having watched the documentary for the first time, Dodd admitted: “It’s brilliant. Everyone involved should be really proud. I can’t remember much of the night itself so it’s great to be able to see it all back.”

David Craven