Jon Bennison has been promoted to fill the No.5 shirt vacated by Rugby Union-bound winger Reagan Grace for the 2023 season.

It’s a fitting reward for the 19-year-old local lad who has come through the ranks at the Totally Wicked Stadium and now will be the possessor of the coveted jersey. Other past left wingers who have wowed the fans either at Knowsley Road, or the Totally Wicked Stadium, include Anthony Sullivan, Francis Meli, and Adam Swift.

Bennison featured in Saints’ final game of the 2021 Super League season against Salford and then made his mark at senior level during the 2022 campaign amid an injury crisis, scoring in his club’s 24-12 Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos.

St Helens have left the No.25 vacant leading to suggestions that a new signing is imminent. The club said: “There is availability to fill this space from within the domestic club market."

The full squad is:

1 Jack Welsby
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Will Hopoate
4 Mark Percival
5 Jon Bennison
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Matty Lees
11 Sione Mata’utia
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
14 Joey Lussick
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
16 Curtis Sironen
17 Agnatius Paasi
18 Jake Wingfield
19 James Bell
20 Dan Norman
21 Ben Davies
22 Sam Royale
23 Konrad Hurrell
24 Lewis Baxter
25 Vacant
26 Dan Hill
27 Jumah Sambou
28 Matty Foster
29 Taylor Pemberton
30 George Delaney
31 Daniel Moss
32 Ben Lane
33 McKenzie Buckley

St Helens keep squad number free for new signing as youngster promoted to No.5 shirt for 2023 season