Alex Walmsley says he would love to finish his career at St Helens

Drew Darbyshire

Norman will line up alongside Walmsley (above) for Saints

England international Alex Walmsley says he would love to see out the rest of his career with St Helens and achieve more success with the club.

The 30-year-old prop has made 200 appearances for Saints since arriving from Championship side Batley back in 2013.

Walmsley has won three Super League titles with Saints and has been named in the Super League Dream Team on two occasions.

He said: “I owe so much to the club and how its changed my life and there’s no other club in Super League I’d want to play for.

“Coming from Yorkshire and moving a young family over, there’s always that pull to go back over the hill and be around close family and friends but there’s no other club in Super League I’d want to play for.

“The whole town has made me feel so welcome, the fans have always been great and I do see myself as finishing my career here.

“Hopefully I’ll have a testimonial next year and celebrate 10 years at the club and I’d like to extend beyond that.

“Although I am on the wrong side of 30, I do feel like I’m in very good shape and I’m as fit as I’ve ever been. The body is pretty good and there’s no niggling injuries there so I don’t think there’s any reason why I can’t do another four or five years at this club.

“We’ve had a great last couple of seasons but I think with the squad we have right now, I want to be a part of what is hopefully going to be a great few years coming up as well.”

Walmsley helped St Helens win the Super League Grand Final last season

Walmsley has also earned international honours during his time at Saints, winning five caps for England and four for the Great British and Irish Lions.

The Yorkshireman revealed he has had offers to go to the NRL in the past, but has never wanted to leave Saints.

Walmsley added: “It has always been a pull and there has been plenty of opportunities. One of the main reasons why I never sort of took the plunge down there has been the love of the club and how happy I’ve been.

“I’ve been more than happy to be a part of this organisation and the history that comes with it. It is such a prestigious club and that was always one of the main reasons why I wanted to stay. If you are happy, why change that?

“Although the NRL has got its own challenges and the pull there, I’ve always been happy at Saints and hopefully I can extend and be here for a few more years and be a part of what is a real young and challenging squad.”

Subscribe to The Final Hooter on Apple Podcasts and get involved with the free-to-play Fantasy Rugby League 2021.

Rugby League Nostalgia is here! Get involved with Love Rugby League’s new group on Facebook to share all your rugby league nostalgia and celebrate the rich heritage of our sport.