Paul Wellens

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**Paul Wellens**
Personal information

Date of birth	27th February 1980
Place of birth	St Helens, England
Height	6'1" (1.86m)
Weight	15st 2lbs (96Kg)
Nickname	Wello
Position	Fullback
Club information
Current club	St Helens
Number	1
Youth clubs
	Blackbrook
Professional clubs*
Years	Club	Apps (points)
1998-07	St Helens	265 (481)
Representative teams
1999-07 1999-07	England Great Britain	13 (?) ? (?)
* Professional club appearances and points counted for domestic first grade only.

Paul Wellens (born February 27, 1980) is a rugby league player who plays in the position of full back. The former De La Salle pupil broke through the St Helens RFC ranks to make his debut in 1999. Success quickly followed and Wellens soon secured his place in what was a strong team. Known for his dependability and all round game, Wellens steadily gained admirers throughout the sport with consistently sturdy performances, showing maturity beyond his years.

An England call up followed and with full back Kris Radlinski already established at international level, Wellens displayed his versatility with spells on the wing and at centre. A call up for Great Britain ensued, and ha made a handful of appearances before being contentiously left out by then coach David Waite, who felt Wellens’ form had dipped during this period. With a point to prove, Wellens has been one of Super League’s most notable performers since and has made the number 1 jersey his own for his country.

His attitude and aptitude to the game have earned him a reputation as a model professional. While he is considered less glamorous than some of his colleagues, Wellens earned the player of the season award at St Helens in 2004 to underline his value at Knowsley Road, establishing himself as one of the fans' favourites. If Wellens had proven himself a leading light in the game thus far, 2006 was to be a remarkable season that would see him stand alone as Super League’s finest. In a season that would see St Helens collect all three major honours at domestic level, Wellens' own form was to be rewarded with a handful of individual accolades, including Rugby League Writers' Association player of the year, Super League players' player of the year and the prestigious Man of Steel Award. Wellens was awarded the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match against Hull FC in the Super League XI Grand Final in 2006.