SAINTS wing Tee Ritson did his prospects of a recall to the first team the power of good with a two-try performance on dual registration with Swinton at the weekend.

And coach Paul Wellens says that performance, alongside the speedy Barrovian re-discovering a spring in his step in daily training in recent weeks, has edged him closer to his first Super League appearance of 2024.

Ritson, whose initial loan move was converted into a two-year contract, scored three tries in 16 appearances last term.

And this year has been kept out of the first team by Jon Bennison and Waqa Blake – but the 28-year-old speedster has kept plugging away.

Wellens has indicated that Ritson’s recall to the 21 this week means he is back in contention for selection.

Wellens said: “He's in the 21 because he is definitely in genuine contention.

“I watched his game on the weekend playing for Swinton on dual reg and he put a marker down and really impressed.

“Tee looked like a Super League player playing at that level and that is what we want from our players when they go on dual registration.

“It is pleasing for Tee to go and get some game time, it is also pleasing for Tee to go and score some tries because wingers love scoring tries.”

There has been a strong lobby from the supporters to call-up Ritson, but Wellens has explained his reasoning for omitting him so far this term – and why that could be changing soon.

Wellens said: “When he first came through the doors at Saints 18 months ago, Tee had a real spring in his step and a real zest for it.

“Throughout the course of pre-season, I think he struggled a little bit and didn't quite have that spring in his step.

“That's normal because he's not someone who's been in full time rugby league for a long time.

“So it comes with its challenges, but in the last month I've seen that same Tee Ritson that first walked through the door.

“He's got an energy about him and he's got that spring in his step and his standards and his levels at training are really high.”

Ritson arrived at Saints as a prolific try scorer in the Championship but from his 16 appearances last year and he only crossed the whitewash three times, plus the one where he flew in at corner against St George.

Some of that was down to the servicing of his edge, as well as some occasions that he just did not quite nail like the one in the corner at Leeds or the breakaway away at Hull.

St Helens Star:

Confidence can play its part, especially for wingmen who are still finding their feet at the top level.

Wellens reflected: “Wingers love scoring tries and Tee is no different to those and last year he probably didn't get as many opportunities as we would have liked.

“And numerous times he got half a yard and just got held and it just didn't quite happen for him at times.

“But he’s a brilliant person, someone around the group who fits in really well and works really hard every single day. And like I said, I will have no qualms whatsoever playing him.”