Tee Ritson is grabbing his Saints chance with both hands

Signed on a season-long loan from Barrow, after scoring 33 tries in 31 appearances last year, Ritson made an immediate impression scoring in the game against St George-Illawarra and then on full debut against Castleford in the opening round of Super League.

And as they do with all speedsters, the Saints crowd have really warmed to him and the way he plays the game – and that feeling has been mutual.

Ritson said: “I am loving it in St Helens – and I am really enjoying being with a good set of lads and the team and staff have been great with me and I am getting well looked after.

“The fans have been great – win, lose or draw they have been behind us and it is brilliant – but they have been great with me too.

“I see some of them when I am walking through the town centre and they are always really welcoming and have made me feel at home.

“It is the same after the games when you walk around and chat with them.

"They are really great people and they have been supportive of me since I have been here.”

The wingman, who is Saints’ Barrow Arrow Mark III following in the footsteps of Les Quirk and Ade Gardner, admits he has big boots to fill.

Although the fans have been yearning to see Ritson released down the wing, he has also been adept at doing all the tough, nitty gritty stuff that the modern wingmen have to do these days.

The quickness of his feet, especially in running at tired bodies, has been an asset in recent weeks – but that has resulted in a few high shots that are not always spotted.

But he just gets on with it.

“It has become part of my game now – I like getting the hard carries off our own goal line, but especially when the forwards have started tiring and you can put a bit of footwork on them you get a few lazy swinging arms.

“I am not looking for a high tackle but if you put a bit of footwork on one is going to come.

“It never fazes me – I just get up and get on with it and keep going,” he said.

Having joined the top-flight so late in his career, Ritson has had to be a quick learner and has been like a sponge when it comes to listening to teammates and the coaching staff.

He is also grateful for the tips and advice that have helped him work on his strength and fitness since heading south.

“Paul Wellens has touched on it when he said I am not the biggest bloke but I am quite powerful.

“The way they have coached me and the gym programmes they have given me has helped,” Ritson said.

“Since coming here the training and tips from all of the guys and staff has meant I have been able to really work on my defence and improve. I feel like I am twice the player already since I have been here.

“It’s a massive step up, the training, the intensity and stuff like that. The first couple of weeks I was pretty sore so I wasn’t used to all the training every day.

“But I’ve adapted to it, there’s a lot of new systems and tactics, things that you need to know within the team that I’ve had to get used to.”

Just like they have done with Alex Walmsley and Joe Batchelor in the past, every now and then they pluck a gem from the Championship to show that ambition should not end for players at 21.

Ritson always had a goal to join the sport’s elite – despite being derailed on the way.

“I have had plenty of ups and downs in my career, probably more downs in my early days and have faced a lot of upsets and have been let down.

“But I have never given up on something I have been focused on all my life.

“I have just had that drive and always wanted to play Super League.

“At 27 it has taken me a lot longer that but I am glad to get the opportunity now and hopefully I can make a name for myself in this league now,” Ritson said.

He has scored twice in 8 senior Saints games so far this season – and after an in-and-out start he bided his time and for the time being he has dislodged Jon Bennison from the flanks as competition for spots hots up.

Ritson said: “I didn’t get much game time at the start of the year but it didn’t faze me.

“I knew I was not just going to come into a champion team and demand a place on the wing. I would have to work hard for it and I am just happy to get an opportunity.”