St Helens boss on 2026 squad evolution, Hull FC-linked duo and “irreplaceable” Morgan Knowles

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has spoken about the Red Vee’s squad status going forward into 2026 with Saints having plenty of off-contract players, some of whom are confirmed to be exiting with others reported for the exit door.

The nature of a salary cap sport is that you simply cannot keep all of your best players all of the time and that’s something that St Helens are finding out in this upcoming recruitment cycle with the club among those to have the largest number of off-contract players.

St Helens have already found that with loose forward Morgan Knowles set to head Down Under and sign with the Dolphins, a major loss of a player that Paul Wellens described as “irreplaceable”.

Asked if finding a Knowles ‘replacement’ was high on the priority list, he stated: “We’re not actively looking to replace Morgan Knowles as such because some players are irreplaceable in that sense, but we certainly are looking to add and strengthen our squad through the middle of the field in Morgan’s absence next year.

“To be truthful, those discussions and conversations will be happening but my main focus is the team and how we perform this week and in the coming weeks. I don’t want to get too caught up in 2026 yet.”

St Helens boss talks 2026 squad evolution and confirms talks with Hull FC-linked duo

Despite a desire not to get caught up in 2026, it’s something that does have to be considered and one of those who is at the forefront of that is club chairman Eamonn McManus.

He wrote in the club programme ahead of their Challenge Cup game against Leeds about the number of losses the club will have but maintained the intent to “improve the squad further in 2026 both in strength and in depth”, whilst confirming that the club will spend “full salary cap”.

Asked about those comments, Wellens conceded that shake-up happens every so often and that the club will look to their academy first and foremost.

He said: “We’re always looking to obviously promote from within first and foremost and the players that we’ve got within our academy system who we feel can add value will come up.

“Obviously, we try and retain our better players but also then look externally where we can move to improve the team and all of those discussions are taking place.”

Wellens was also asked about Joe Batchelor and James Bell, both of who have been linked with Hull FC with Serious About Rugby League among those to report Bell’s 2026 switch to the MKM Stadium.

“I mean there’s nothing too much I can say at this moment in time,” Wellens responded when quizzed on the pair, adding: “I’ve had conversations with a number of those players on a one-to-one basis but I don’t want to break confidence or trust.

“Whichever way things pan out, as soon as I do know, I will let you know.”