A Great Britain and England international fullback, he played his entire career with St Helens, with whom he won several Super League championships and Challenge Cup titles.

An England call-up followed and with fullback Kris Radlinski already established at international level, Wellens displayed his versatility with spells on the wing and at centre.

Having won the 1999 Championship, St Helens contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with Wellens playing at hooker in the loss.

[citation needed] Wellens played for St Helens at fullback in their 2002 Super League Grand Final victory against Bradford Bulls but was forced to leave the field after just two minutes with a broken cheekbone, which ruled him out of Great Britain's international series against New Zealand the following month.

As one of the quieter members of a squad littered with big names and personalities, it was all the more creditable that Wellens earned St Helens player of the season award in 2004 to underline his value at Knowsley Road, establishing himself as one of the fans' favourites.

Wellens was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.

As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge.

He also became joint winner of the Lance Todd Trophy award in the 2007 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final against the Catalans Dragons at Wembley Stadium, sharing the prize with Leon Pryce.

[27] In total he played 495 times for St Helens, in the process winning 5 Super League titles, 5 Challenge Cup winners medals, two World Club Challenges, the Man of Steel Award, the Lance Todd Trophy, the Harry Sunderland Trophy, and was named in the Super League Dream Team on four occasions.