SAINTS half back Lewis Dodd’s departure to the NRL – for all his loss of form since returning from a devastating ruptured Achilles – is nevertheless a huge if not unexpected blow for the club.

The switch – finally confirmed by South Sydney Rabbitohs this morning - has seemed inevitable since the youngster’s name first began being touted to NRL clubs in the aftermath of Saints’ World Club Challenge win over Penrith at the start of last year.

Given Dodd had signed a two plus two-year contract with the second part in the player’s favour it always seemed likely that the player would switch if a better offer or opportunity came in from the other side of the rugby league globe.

And given the seemingly worldwide dearth of half back talent it was always a matter of time before the cash-rich NRL came knocking to take a punt on the 22-year-old Widnesian.

Saints had high hopes that they could build their future teams around the twin talents Dodd and Jack Welsby as they slowly evolve the team.

Although they have secured the latter until the end of 2027, the loss of Dodd at the end of this year means they now have to develop a plan B moving forward.

When the Halton Farnworth Hornets prodigy first emerged through the Academy, his quick feet and varied kicking game made him stand out as a better long-term prospect than the hugely popular Frenchman Theo Fages.

When Fages was released at the end of 2021, the 7 shirt was presented to Dodd to make his own.

The scrum half, then still just 19, had already grabbed his opportunity with Fages out with a broken shoulder and played in the tight 2021 Grand Final victory over Catalans Dragons.

But the subsequent journey has been a rocky one for Dodd, and within three months of the 2022 campaign his year was over with a devastating Achilles injury seeing him limp off during the Good Friday clash.

Although he marked his return to action with a Golden Point drop goal winner in the World Club Challenge clash on Penrith Panthers’ own midden he has struggled to find a run of form with the ball, despite maintaining a big effort in defence.

Saints legend Paul Sculthorpe has used his St Helens Star column to repeatedly call on the number 7 to take the ball to the line more and ask more questions of the defence.

With Saints’ attack coming under much scrutiny, the work of the scrum half inevitably comes under the microscope and Dodd’s style has not been without its critics.

For all that, to lose a young player with such huge potential to grow into his role as a dominant scrum half, is a blow especially a quality number 7s are as rare as hen’s teeth.

If they weren’t then Souths would not be taking such a punt on Dodd.

The Dodd departure leaves Saints In a similar position to 2009-11 when they let Sean Long go to Hull FC, released Matty Smith, and intended to build the side around Kyle Eastmond at 7 - only for the latter to switch to Bath rugby union.

That did allow a young Jonny Lomax to step up at 7 for a couple of years from 2011.

And that model could provide cover in the halves going forward with 19-year-old Harry Roberts recently returning from an ACL injury and Academy goalkicking scrum half George Whitby ready to step up into the first team panel next term.

Alternatively, Saints could go with the partnership that steered them to the 2022 Grand Final success with Lomax at 7 and Welsby at 6, with Jon Bennison at 1, but that was a spine that was nullified last week prompting Wellens to change mid game.

Moses Mbye’s recent switch to 7 also gives food for thought, a move that would see Welsby continue at 1 whilst Mbye partners Lomax.

There will, however, be a huge clamour for an external recruit, to change the Saints’ direction of travel – particularly after some off colour performances this term – including yesterday’s mullering at Hull KR.

One big aspect to factor in is that that a good chunk of Dodd’s salary will have been covered in the salary cap Club Trained Dispensation.

So, to make a swoop for a seven, it is likely Saints would have to make concessions elsewhere in the squad with regards to retention and recruitment to stick within the constraints of the cap.

Alternatively, if the half back pursuit hits a dead end or they choose to stick with what is already here, Saints could move for a full back to enable Lomax and Welsby to forge ahead for long enough to allow Whitby and Roberts to prove themselves.

This worked in 2019-21 when the attacking potency of Lachlan Coote was devastating chiming in – but helped massively by the aforementioned Fages’ willingness to take his medicine and pass at the line, buying an extra split second for the players outside to make hay.

Whatever option Saints take – this will be a big challenge for Saints going forward as they strive for success in an increasingly competitive top end of the Super League.