RETIREMENT OF PAUL WELLENS

That this House acknowledges the retirement of Great Britain, England, Lancashire and St Helens full-back Paul Wellens; notes that his retirement comes early due to injury; congratulates him on a professional career spanning 20 seasons, comprising 495 appearances for Saints RFC, 31 caps for England and Great Britain and four representative games for Lancashire; salutes his 1,027 total points scored in that time; recalls the integral part he played in the award-winning St Helens side; considers him to be one of the most outstanding defenders in rugby league, justifying awards such as the Lance Todd Trophy, the Harry Sunderland Trophy, the Man of Steel Award and many other personal accolades; and wishes him and his family well in retirement from rugby league and for the next stage in his career.