St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus insists the club will spending full cap in 2026 with a number of high profile recruits targeted. It comes as the Saints prepare to say farewell to a host of players at the end of the 2025 campaign, with plenty more still off-contract.
Morgan Knowles is the only man who has seen a move confirmed with the loose-forward set to join NRL side Dolphins next season but it is understood that both Joe Batchelor and James Bell have signed for Hull FC. The likes of Curtis Sironen, Moses Mbye and Jon Bennison are also off contract, and McManus insists retention is certainly on the agenda.
However, the chairman is keen to reassure supporters that recruitment work is underway with the expectation being that the club will have three marquee players next season.
“It’s well known that we have a number of players off contract this season and that some will be leaving for other clubs,” he wrote in his St Helens programme notes ahead of the Challenge Cup clash with Leeds Rhinos on Friday night.
“We certainly aim to improve the squad further in 2026 both in strength and in depth. We aim to balance a degree of retention with additions of new and strong talent. We will be spending full salary cap and utilising the three marquee exemptions again that is for sure.
“The process is in hand and will no doubt unfold during the course of this season as and when decisions are made. That said, it is success this season that we first desire and which is currently foremost in our minds.”
McManus took the opportunity to pay tribute to Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington, too, following the news that he will be stepping down at the end of the season to take up a position with London Broncos.
“Finally, I’d like to pay tribute to Gary Hetherington who has announced that he will be stepping down as CEO of Leeds Rhinos at the end of this season after 30 years of incredible service,” he wrote. “His contribution to the club and to the game of rugby league during that period has been immense and is worthy of the highest praise, even though it painfully included four Grand Final defeats for us!
“We wish him well in his endeavours in seeking investors for the London Broncos and I’m sure he will be embarking on another successful project which is much needed both in London and in the sport of rugby league.”
