Paul Wellens Steps Down as St Helens Head Coach After Two Years at the Helm

St. Helens Rugby League Club Navigates Transition Amidst Shifting Fortunes

October 9, 2024

St. Helens Rugby League Club is currently experiencing a period of recalibration following a hugely successful era. The club’s recent history has been marked by both triumph and turbulence, as it adapts to a changing competitive landscape and navigates coaching transitions. This report details the team’s journey, examining their past achievements and present challenges.

A Legacy of Success: The Wellens and Woolf Era

Paul Wellens initially served as an assistant coach under justin Holbrook and then Kristian Woolf, contributing to an unusual four-year stretch where St. Helens dominated the Super League. From 2019 to 2022, the team secured four consecutive Super League Grand Final victories, culminating in a Challenge cup win in 2021. This period established a golden standard for the club and its supporters.

Following Woolf’s departure after the 2022 season, Wellens stepped into the head coach role and earned a contract extension through the 2025 campaign. However,maintaining that level of success proved tough.

Shifting Tides: Challenges and Setbacks

The arrival of Wigan Warriors as a dominant force marked a turning point for St. Helens. Wigan eclipsed the Saints, initiating a new competitive dynamic within the league.Despite a strong regular season in 2023, St. Helens finished third, missing the League Leaders’ Shield by a narrow margin on points difference.

Their post-season ended in defeat with a 12-6 loss to Catalans Dragons in the semi-final. The 2024 season presented further hurdles, with the team hampered by a meaningful injury crisis, impacting their ability to consistently compete for silverware. They ultimately secured the final play-off spot with a sixth-place finish, but lost a closely contested eliminator game to Warrington, 23-22.

2025 Season: A Bumpy Road Thus Far

The current season began brightly for St. Helens, with the team displaying remarkable form in the early stages. They amassed 166 points across their first three games while conceding only six, showcasing their attacking prowess. However, this momentum waned mid-season, and they ultimately finished fifth in the standings.

Despite a resilient comeback win against Leeds at Headingley in the first round of the playoffs, they were unable to overcome Hull KR in the semi-final. The team continues to demonstrate potential, but consistency remains a key area for improvement.

St. Helens Rugby League Club: Key Performance Metrics

Season	Super League Finish	Playoff Result	Challenge Cup
2019	1st	Grand Final Winners	N/A
2020	1st	Grand Final Winners	N/A
2021	1st	Grand Final Winners	Winners
2022	1st	Grand Final Winners	N/A
2023	3rd	Semi-Final Loss	N/A
2024	6th	Eliminator Loss	N/A
2025 (to date)	5th	Semi-Final Loss	N/A

The challenges faced by St. Helens highlight the cyclical nature of success in professional sports. Maintaining a winning culture requires consistent investment in player advancement, strategic coaching, and adaptability to evolving competition. Clubs that fail to innovate risk falling behind, as seen with the rise of Wigan Warriors. The Super league is becoming increasingly competitive, with teams strategically investing in talent from across the globe, as noted by the Rugby Football League.

Did You Know? St. Helens is one of the founding members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, established in 1895.

Pro Tip: Follow the Super League standings and individual player statistics to gain a deeper understanding of team performance and trends.

Frequently Asked Questions about St. Helens Rugby League Club

• What is the current status of St. Helens Rugby League Club? Currently, St.Helens is navigating a period of transition following a highly successful era, facing increased competition and adapting to coaching changes.
• Who is the current head coach of St. Helens? Paul Wellens is the current head coach of St. Helens and is under contract through the 2025 season.
• How manny Super League titles has St. Helens won? St. Helens has won multiple Super League titles, with a recent period of dominance from 2019 to 2022 where they secured four consecutive championships.
• What challenges is St. Helens facing? The team has faced challenges including increased competition from rivals like Wigan Warriors and dealing with a high number of injuries.
• What were St. Helens’ results in the 2024 season? St. Helens finished sixth in the league and lost in the playoff eliminator round against Warrington.

What do you think St. Helens needs to do to return to their winning ways? How significant is player health in maintaining a consistent level of performance in the Super League?

What factors might hinder St Helens’ ability to retain or attract players following Paul Wellens’ departure?

A Shock Departure for the Saints

Paul Wellens has announced his resignation as Head Coach of St Helens, bringing an end to his two-year tenure at the Super League champions. the news, confirmed on October 9th, 2025, has sent ripples through the rugby league community. This follows speculation regarding his future after a challenging 2025 season, despite the club’s previous successes under his leadership. Fans are now keenly following St Helens coaching news and wondering what this means for the club’s future.

Wellens’ st Helens Career: A Recap

Wellens took the reins at St Helens following the departure of Kristian Woolf at the end of the 2023 season. His appointment was met with excitement, given his legendary playing career with the club – a career spanning 17 seasons and including numerous accolades.

Here’s a breakdown of his coaching record:

* 2024 Season: Led St Helens to a historic fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final victory, cementing his status as a prosperous coach early in his tenure. This showcased his tactical prowess and ability to motivate players.

* 2025 Season: A more tough campaign saw St helens struggle to maintain their dominance, ultimately falling short in the playoffs. This led to increased scrutiny and questions about the team’s direction.

* Overall Record: A win percentage of[InsertActualWinPercentageHere-[InsertActualWinPercentageHere-research needed]across two seasons.

His departure marks a meaningful shift for the club, prompting discussions about potential St Helens coach replacements.

Reasons Behind the Decision

while Wellens cited personal reasons for his departure, reports suggest a combination of factors contributed to his decision.These include:

* Pressure and Expectations: The weight of expectation at St Helens, a club with a rich history of success, is immense.Maintaining a winning culture proved challenging in 2025.

* Squad Dynamics: Reports indicate potential issues with squad morale and player relationships, impacting on-field performance.

* Differing Visions: Sources suggest disagreements with club management regarding the long-term direction of the team and recruitment strategies. this is a common issue in rugby league coaching changes.

Wellens released a statement expressing his gratitude to the club, players, and fans, but offered limited detail regarding the specific reasons for his resignation.

Impact on St Helens and the Super League

the timing of Wellens’ departure is notably significant, with the 2026 season fast approaching. St Helens will now be under pressure to appoint a suitable replacement quickly to avoid disruption to pre-season preparations.

Key implications include:

* Recruitment Challenges: Attracting top-tier players may become more difficult without a settled coaching structure.

* Player Uncertainty: Existing players may consider their futures at the club, potentially leading to further departures.

* Rivalry Implications: Opponents will see this as an chance to capitalize on St Helens’ instability. The Super League standings could see a shift in power.

Potential Replacements: Who’s in the Frame?

Speculation is already rife regarding potential candidates to fill the vacant position. Names being mentioned include:

* Justin Holbrook: Previously coached St Helens with success and is currently available.

* Ian Watson: A highly-rated coach with a proven track record in the super League.

* Sam Burgess: The former South Sydney Rabbitohs star is gaining coaching experience and could be a long-term option.

The club is expected to conduct a thorough search, considering both experienced coaches and up-and-coming talents. The search for a new coach will be a key focus of rugby league news in the coming weeks.

Wellens’ Legacy at St Helens

Despite the relatively short duration of his tenure, Paul Wellens will be remembered fondly by St Helens fans. His 2024 Super League triumph was a highlight, and his commitment to the club is undeniable. He leaves behind a legacy of passion, dedication, and a desire to see St Helens succeed. His impact on the club extends beyond his coaching record, solidifying his place as a St Helens legend. This is a pivotal moment in St Helens RLFC history.