Paul Wellens discusses out-of-contract St Helens man – ‘Everything is a possibility’

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens stated that ‘everything is a possibility’ for the future of Dan Norman as the international prop remains off-contract for 2024.

Norman, 25, is currently on loan at Leigh Leopards, with Examiner Live previously reporting that a permanent move to Adrian Lam’s side is on the cards for next season.

The Ireland international has been limited to just one appearance for Saints in 2023 due to injuries and squad competition, having joined the side in December 2020 from London Broncos.

Born in Warrington, Norman has made just 15 appearances for St Helens in total since making the move, having made his professional debut with Widnes.

Norman signed a one-year extension for the 2023 campaign last June.

Paul Wellens on future of Dan Norman

“Everything is a possibility,” Wellens told Love Rugby League on Norman. “Obviously Dan has been on loan for Leigh for a couple of weeks.

“I sat down with Dan before he went on loan and discussed it being a chance for him to go play rugby at a Super League level whilst he wasn’t making our 17 at the time.

“I’m sure those conversations will continue to happen and his representatives will be in dialogue with the club as well around what he wants to do moving forward.

“Whichever way he goes, it’ll come to an amicable conclusion.

“Dan is a great lad. He’s been fantastic since he’s come through the doors here.

“I really like him, his character and he’s a well-liked member of the group. In that sense, I couldn’t speak any higher for him.”

He has since featured three times for the rising Leopards, who sit second on the Super League table, including an appearance from the interchange bench during the side’s recent 34-4 televised home win over Hull KR.

“What happened with Dan, he picked up an injury a number of weeks ago and that set him back,” Wellens continued.

“There were periods where he probably would have got games for us when we were missing players, but he wasn’t available and the likes of George Delaney got an opportunity to come in and show what he could do. It just limited Dan’s chances.

“Dan’s challenges are to obviously get back on the field and to get some minutes under his belt and show what he can do.”

Leigh can help take Norman ‘to another level’ says Lam

Leading the rise at Leigh, which included a nine-game winning streak until defeat in France, Lam was recently full of praise for Norman, who represented Ireland at last year’s World Cup under coach Ged Corcoran.

His comments further hint at the permanent switch for Norman, who has made 52 career appearances to date.

“Dan Norman is going to have a big future for us Dan,” Lam said following Leigh’s win on Friday night.

“I’m really hopeful of getting him to a level that’s as good as any in Super League.

“He hasn’t played much rugby over the last two years. He’s been in a really good system there (at St Helens) but hasn’t played that much so I think with every game he plays for us and the longer minutes he plays, the better he’s going to be.

“I’m really excited to see how he develops.”

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