Rugby League fans disagree on St Helens’ Paul Wellens decision

Rugby League fans have reacted to St Helens’ decision to retain Paul Wellens heading into 2025.

Wellens has been under pressure this season thanks to a poor run of form which almost saw Saints drop out of the play-off race. This came amid a backdrop of Saints falling from their perch at the top of the rugby league tree.

Wellens was a staff member during a four-year Super League title-winning spree, and a star full-back for the side before that as a player. A World Club Challenge win early in his career as head coach back in 2023 was somewhat of a false dawn for Wellens, who has seen his side fail to make three consecutive major finals since.

But Saints are sticking with Wellens and have referenced his team’s unfortunate injury record this term as a reason to give club legend more time. Here’s what rugby league fans have had to say on Saints’ decision including fans on SARL and responding to the announcement on Twitter:

Geoff Fawcett: Loyalty, a rare thing in sport today.

Ian Porter: I don’t think saints fans understand what he’s got going on with injuries and suspensions, players that’s let’s be honest are a little past their best, give the bloke a break, if he has a full strength side and they are still not where they need to be then a change of coach will be next I’m sure.

Tony Finney: Need to change other areas of the coaching staff for me. He deserves another season for his history with the club but needs quality around him and changes in the team to do well.

Nicola Jones: Just keeping Paul Rowley’s seat warm.

Sodden Yorkshire: High standards, this year some of those players haven’t been giving high school rugby standards!

RedVee.net: Excellent. It needed settling – this is how we go forward – let’s get fully behind both the Team AND The Head Coach

JustJohn: Sorted now for next season let’s get behind Paul and the lads for the rest of this season and next. Hopefully a turnover in players and coach staff will help improve results and performances next year because an improvement is required.

Geoff Newman: The rest of the league is even more delighted.

Pet James: Fabulous news for the rest of us. Although, we all know Briers will be doing the coaching.

Hollins Shaker: That will save me some money. Won’t be renewing my season ticket

Old Man Winter: Rewarding failure. McManus and Rush are having a dreadful 12 months. Need to make some good signings otherwise people will turn away from the club.

Jamie Briscoe: The lack of ambition shown by McManus is terrible, accepting mediocre rugby because he’s a legend of the club, if this doesn’t work out its on their heads and they have a lot to answer too and tbf if it does work it will just show Briers is the mastermind behind it all.