St Helens are expected to sign Sam Verrills for 2027, adding another proven hooker to their plans as the club continues to shape its squad for the future. The move would give Saints another strong option in the middle, but it also carries wider implications because of their overseas-player quota.
Verrills, a 27-year-old Gold Coast Titans hooker, has built a solid career since starting at hooker for Sydney Roosters in the 2019 Grand Final against Canberra, where he also scored the opening try. A year later, he was on the bench when the Roosters faced Saints in the World Club Challenge in the UK. After four seasons with the Roosters, he joined the Titans and has now put together 116 NRL appearances.
St Helens are building for 2027
The move fits the direction St Helens are already taking. They have secured Sean O’Sullivan and are continuing to plan ahead, with the hooker area one of the key spots to manage. Jonny Lomax retiring and Daryl Clark remaining in the squad gives Saints a clear shape in one sense, but it also means the club have had to think carefully about depth and succession.
In May, Love Rugby League revealed that Verrills had been made available to Super League clubs for 2027, and last month Catalans Dragons launched a move for him. Now St Helens are expected to be the side that gets the deal done.
Why the quota matters
The overseas-player issue is the main practical complication. Saints have eight contracted overseas players for next season, and two new arrivals would take them to their full quota allowance. That means any move for Verrills is not just about adding quality; it also affects how the squad is balanced and what decisions may need to be made elsewhere.
For St Helens, though, the attraction is obvious. Verrills is experienced, reliable and already familiar with the demands of top-level rugby league. If the deal is completed, Saints will have strengthened a crucial position for 2027 while also making another clear statement about the direction of their rebuild.
