Jon Bennison, Jake Burns, Ben Davies and Will Roberts have all penned new deals with the quartet set to play important roles under Paul Wellens. Of course, the Saints will be keen to bounce back after a disappointing season in 2024 and the retention of such homegrown talent is a big boost.
Bennison is still only 21, but he’s been in and around the first team at the Totally Wicked Stadium for three seasons now. The outside back has made 56 appearances for the Saints, including 17 in 2024, with 22 tries coming along the way. Burns only joined the Saints in 2022 after being spotted playing amateur rugby league, but he’s worked his way into the first-team under Wellens and he more than looks the part.
Davies is no stranger to the first-team either with the centre making 40 appearances for the club and scoring 11 tries. He has made 11 outings in each of the last two seasons.
Roberts is younger and slightly more inexperienced than the others who have penned new deals, with the half-back being only 19. However, he is expected to provide half-back competition next season as he pushes for a place in the St Helens side.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” Bennison told the club website. “I love playing here and I’ve found it home for the past three years, so really delighted to stay for another year. I’d like to build on what’s come before and I’m really looking forward to next year.
“Next season we’re looking to get silverware and find success, because that’s what this club deserves, that’s what the players deserve with their effort. We’re really excited for that challenge.”
With Saints signing Kyle Feldt and Lewis Murphy for next year, Bennison will provide cover and depth for the role and will continue to battle for his place when pre-season resumes next month.
Bennison said: “I’m absolutely delighted, I love playing here and I’ve found it home for the past three years, so really delighted to stay for another year. I’d like to build on what’s come before and I’m really looking forward to next year.
“Next season we’re looking to get silverware and find success, because that’s what this club deserves, that’s what the players deserve with their effort. We’re really excited for that challenge.
“The lads are all hungry and really desperate for more success next year. When we’re at home and we hear the West Stand chanting, it gives you another lift.
“Throughout this year we’ve felt that support, certain times when you’re defending your own line and you hear the crowd erupts behind you, it gives you a new lease of life and pushes you that bit further.
“We can’t wait to rip in next year with the new signings and our young lads, it’s going to be really exciting, and we hope fans can’t wait either.”
Wellens added: “Ever since he came into the first team environment Benno has excelled in terms of his work ethic, and that really endeared him to the group from day one.
“He has a real thirst to improve as a player and he still has improvement in him and wants to find that improvement. I think he has shown at the back end of the year, in big games, he knows how to get the job done.
“Competition for places is crucial to any team that has ambitions to be successful. In any position, competition drives standards. Jon is a player that really does add value and drives those standards that we value.”
Hooker Burns did not have a conventional route to the Saints first team, with the 24-year-old hooker making his debut last year.
Burns originally joined on a three-month trial in January 2022 after being spotted at community club Halton Farnworth Hornets, and became Saints’ 2022 Reserves Player of the Year.
In 2023 he impressed enough on loan with North Wales Crusaders that he was called up to join the senior Saints side for the 2024 season.
Burns made his senior Saints debut at home against Castleford Tigers, scoring two tries at Hull FC the following week.
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