Club at crossroads after coaching change
St Helens look set to miss the Super League play-offs for the first time in the club's history and have moved quickly to change direction, dismissing coach Paul Rowley after less than 12 months in charge. The decision at the BrewDog Stadium marks an admission from the club’s hierarchy that the appointment did not deliver, and it leaves whoever replaces Rowley with a sizeable rebuilding task.
The squad has been badly affected by injuries this season, a fact that supporters and the board have taken into account. Even allowing for that disruption, insiders and observers agree that structural change is needed on and off the field.
Players likely to be retained and others under scrutiny
With contract decisions looming, commentaries compiled around the club’s current situation identify several players who should form the core of any rebuild, and others who may not be offered new deals.
- Core players likely to be kept: Jack Welsby, George Whitby, Daryl Clark — described as players the club should do everything to retain.
- Likely departure or end of career: Jonny Lomax — 2026 looks likely to be the end of the road for him, possibly via retirement.
- Young prospects in the mix: Jake Burns — seen as having shown enough to remain part of plans.
- Short-term signings under review: Jackson Hastings — only on a one-year deal and assessed as not having done enough to earn a new contract.
- Signed long-term: Tristan Sailor — contracted to a new three-year deal, seen as staying despite questions over his fit in the side.
- Outside backs to build around: Harry Robertson — highlighted as the youngster the club must rebuild around; Owen Dagnall, Jacob Douglas and Mark Percival are expected to stay.
- Injury-concern retention: Nene Macdonald — valued for quality when fit but availability remains a concern.
"Coaching change has already happened... an admission of the wrong appointment being made in the first place," commentators said of recent events at the BrewDog Stadium.
The immediate practical task for the incoming coach and recruitment team will be to establish a spine and a consistent half-back pairing capable of restoring competitive form. The current analysis suggests a preference for keeping established home-grown or long-term players where possible while being ruthless on short-term imports and one-year signings who have not convinced.
What this means for supporters and the club
The likely shake-up is about more than results. For a town and fanbase that take pride in Saints as a flagship community institution, the prospect of a rebuild raises questions on continuity, identity and transfer strategy. Retaining key figures such as Welsby and Percival would preserve a link to recent successes, while plenty of other positions appear open to change.
| Category | Players mentioned |
|---|---|
| Core to keep | Jack Welsby, George Whitby, Daryl Clark |
| Uncertain/under review | Jackson Hastings, Tristan Sailor, Nene Macdonald |
| Likely to stay (outside-backs) | Harry Robertson, Owen Dagnall, Jacob Douglas, Mark Percival |
| Possible exit/retirement | Jonny Lomax |
Supporters will be watching closely for the club’s next appointment. The new head coach — yet to be confirmed — will be judged on recruitment, injury management and their ability to piece together a competitive spine.
For now, the message from the board is clear: a season of disappointment has prompted change, and tougher conversations lie ahead as St Helens look to prevent a slide into longer-term decline. How the club balances loyalty to proven performers with the need for fresh ideas will determine whether Saints can quickly return to the front of Super League contention.
