St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has reflected on his side’s 20-12 loss to Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals, claiming there are “lessons to be learned in terms of winning big games”.
It’s yet another win for Sam Burgess against Paul Wellens with Warrington having come out on top in all six meetings, including last year’s Challenge Cup quarter-finals and Super League play-offs.
Those defeats will sit heavy in the mind of Paul Wellens who ensured to praise his team’s effort in difficult circumstances but admitted that there are “lessons to be learned”.
George Williams proved the difference with the England captain creating the first and second before scoring the third, whilst Marc Sneyd’s penalty also added that scoreboard pressure which Saints couldn’t overcome.
Speaking post-match on BBC Sports, Wellens hailed his side’s efforts on what was a very hot April afternoon.
“I can never fault the team in terms of our endeavour. The effort is always there,” the Saints boss explained.
St Helens need to learn ‘how to win big games’ claims Paul Wellens after Challenge Cup loss
⏹ The Saints exit the 2025 Challenge Cup at the Quarter Final stage#COYS | @LPL_Airport pic.twitter.com/aLyjJv6Gxi
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 6, 2025
Whilst effort was there, it wasn’t enough but Saints were dealt plenty more bad luck during the game with centre Mark Percival failing a HIA as well as Jake Wingfield.
As such, St Helens finished the game with Joe Batchelor and Matt Whitley in the centres, whilst Moses Mbye moved to loose forward and Morgan Knowles into second-row.
On those injuries and changes, Wellens said: “We did a fair bit of chopping and changing throughout the course of the afternoon which does disrupt you a little bit.
“I’m really proud of the effort but there are some lessons to be learned from us in terms of winning big games moving forward.”
Asked what those lessons could be, he said: “We were under a lot of pressure for periods of the game but I thought that the time we were under pressure was self-inflicted and if we could be a little bit better then we give ourselves a bit more opportunity.
“I thought when we were attacking them, we were creating space on the edges, obviously we’ve got some round pegs in some square holes there where you can’t quite nail a few opportunities but nonetheless there are lessons to be learned.”
Saints will now be without both Percival and Wingfield for their Round Seven Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity, however, the pair will be back in time for Round Nine when St Helens face Warrington Wolves and look to avenge today’s loss.
Warrington progress to the semi-finals where they will meet Leigh Leopards.
