Pundits debate what St Helens defeat to Hull KR means for Paul Wellens’ future

Following their Semi-Final defeat to Hull KR, Paul Wellens’ coaching career at St Helens seems to be under threat now more than ever.

The Saints legend is out of contract at the end of this season, after taking the reigns from Kristian Woolf ahead of 2023. The 45-year-old has failed to win any silverware in those years, which for a club the size of Saints is deemed as underperforming.

Not only has Wellens been unable to bring a trophy back to the Totally Wicked Stadium, he has failed to reach a final, be that the Grand Final or the Challenge Cup Final. The loss to Hull KR tonight suggests his time has run out, and after a third straight season of going home empty-handed, he could be shown the exit door ahead of next season.

Sky Sports pundits Jon Wilkin and Sam Tomkins discussed what lies ahead for Wellens, and where the Saints go from here. Wilkin, who is a former teammate of Wellens for club and country, believes that the responsibility shouldn’t all be put on the coach, with the club needing to take some responsibility too, after years of poor recruitment.

“There is no better person equipped for the job than Paul Wellens,” said Wikin. “But, the separate thing there is the pressure and expectation of being a head coach. Paul went into that job fully knowing that being the coach of his hometown team, you don’t get an awful lot of time to get it right.

“Has he got it right? I’d probably say he hasn’t, based on results. Has the club got it right? I think the club were irresponsible to give him the job so quickly.”

Wilkin referred to times in the past where the club have appointed a club legend as head coach, and it hasn’t worked out, and he believes they haven’t learned from prior mistakes.

He said: “I don’t think they should have done it in light of what happened with Kieron Cunningham. I think Paul would have said he was ready. I think just give him a bit more time. Be delicate with him.  Not only that, give him a real thrust of recruitment. I think the recruitment of the club has been poor for a number of years.

“Paul is a fantastic rugby league coach. Whatever happens with him, he’s going to work in rugby. If not league, he’ll definitely work in rugby union.”

Tomkins gave his opinion on the matter, with the former Wigan and Catalans full-back believing the players have a role to play in their lack of success too.

He said: “It’s been a tricky time, it’s been a tricky couple of years. I don’t think anyone could question the effort of Paul Wellens. You could see the shots last week when they scored that try and they got through to this game, there was nobody more passionate and happier about him getting that win than him…

“A lot of it has to fall on the shoulders of the players, but ultimately, you can’t sack all the players, you have to sack the coach.”

“That’s the answer in itself” – pundit believes lack of communication will lead to St Helens coaching change

Sky’s lead presenter Brian Carney posed the question to Wilkin and Tomkins that if Wellens had already signed a new deal, would the club, or himself have already announced it. They believe that because there has been no announcement made on the 2026 coaching role yet, change is in the works and the current Saints boss will be leaving his role.

The lack of communication was highlighted when pitch side reporter Jenna Brooks asked Wellens if he will be the coach next year, and he gave no response.

In response to Carney’s question, Wilkin said: “Of course we would [have heard about a decision]. Paul refusing to speak about it then, probably shows. That’s the answer in itself, isn’t it? But, I think more people need to remember that what the fans want is passion and commitment and loyalty to their brand.

“There’s nobody done that and delivered that more. [He’s] one of the greatest players the club has ever had, and the treatment of that process now has to be careful, I would suggest.”

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