ST HELENS will bring five members of their academy squad into the first team for pre-season.

Props Matty Evans and Alfie Tate, hooker Tom Humphreys and back-rower Billy Keeley have all progressed from Saints’ scholarship programme, while French halfback Walsh joined the club earlier this year.

Academy coach Derek Traynor said: “All five of these players have been key for our academy, and they have all got fantastic attitudes, great attributes to their game, and a real desire to learn.

“Our success as a club has been built on a foundation of homegrown players. Look back at our Grand Final-winning teams, and a lot of the teams have been academy graduates.

“The challenge now for these five lads is to push the seasoned first-team players, compete, learn and try to make their mark in the squad, and we wish them the very best with that task.”