Paul Wellens’ in-tray and what the St Helens boss must do ahead of 2025

Two years ago, St Helens were perennial Super League champions, but this season they have fallen at the first play-off hurdle.

They looked good despite defeat to Warrington Wolves, and only lost due to golden-point extra time, but that’s not enough to make the season a success.

Now, Lewis Dodd and Tommy Makinson are two high-profile departures, and it certainly seems like Wellens alongside new assistant coach Lee Briers, has to look at the ways they can improve for 2025.

So what do they need to do ahead of next season?

Trust the quality

Saints have signed three players from NRL next year,in Kyle Feldt, Tristan Sailor and Lewis Murphy.

While Wellens might be tempted to drop them if they don’t hit the ground running in Super League, there’s no doubt that these players are good enough to make a real difference.

We saw it with Rodrick Tai this year – stick with it, the quality will show.

Cement a spine

We saw a number of different spine combinations in 2024.

Some of this was down to injury concerns, but some wasn’t – Wellens needs to work out who his best combination is, and mostly stick with it.

That may be with Sailor at full-back and Jack Welsby in the halves. He may not be sure whether he should stick with Welsby in the number one position, but he can’t keep chopping and changing if his first decision doesn’t work immediately.

St Helens need continuity.

Show the St Helens hunger of the past

For all that needs to be changed, even the current Saints side are capable of real quality, if they want to show it.

Against the Wolves, they started really well – they seemed to want it more, and were ahead, both in field position and on the scoreboard, for a long time in the game.

They need to show this every week, and Wellens needs to fuel a fire in their bellies and a confidence that they’re good enough if they’re to be back near the top of the rankings next year.