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Back Row Star Back Home as Eels Deal Cut Short
St Helens Women have secured a massive boost with the dramatic return of decorated back rower Paige Travis. The 26-year-old England international is heading back to the Women’s Super League (WSL) club after her one-season stint in the NRLW with the Parramatta Eels ended prematurely.
Travis’s return is a huge statement for the Saints program, bringing back a player who was integral to the club’s unprecedented success. Before her departure, Travis spent six years at the club, helping the team achieve dominance in women’s rugby league, including the historic 2021 treble—winning the Women’s Challenge Cup, League Leaders’ Shield, and Women’s Super League title. She also contributed to a remarkable run of four consecutive Challenge Cup victories between 2021 and 2024.
The Lure of Home: Why Saints Was the Only Option
Travis initially joined the Parramatta Eels on an ambitious two-year contract starting in 2025. Despite being released by the Australian club after making 11 appearances in her single season, the star forward emphasizes that her heart never truly left the Saints.
“I stayed up watching the games I could this year, my mum goes to every game, and the girls are family to me, so Saints never really left me,” Travis stated. She highlighted the critical role of the club’s leadership during her move: “The club’s support meant everything. I wanted to go and explore that opportunity and I had their backing, and that’s why this is the only club I would ever come back to.”
She believes the experience of training in a full-time professional environment in Australia has enhanced her game, a standard she hopes the WSL can eventually adopt. “I think I’m coming back home as a better player, on and off the pitch. I’ve learned a lot by being in a full-time professional environment in Australia,” she noted.
Craig Richards Touts Saints Culture and WSL Quality
St Helens head coach Craig Richards hailed Travis’s return as a huge validation of the club’s player development and culture.
“Every club in the UK would want her, and that shows how highly valued the programme we run here is,” Richards said. “It speaks volumes about our culture and how we treat people because, in Paige’s mind, it was always about coming back to Saints.”
The signing is not just a major boost for St Helens but also for the overall quality of the Women’s Super League. Travis is an established international star, boasting nine caps for England, having featured in the 2022 Rugby League World Cup and the recent match against Australia in Las Vegas. Her presence elevates the profile and competitiveness of the league.
Richards concluded: “We’re proud of how we do things, and it’s a pat on the back for all the coaching and backroom staff for the fantastic work they do.”