St Helens have continued their coaching shake-up and have announced a new Head of Rugby with immediate effect.
That role has been handed to Craig Richards, who is currently one half of the Saints’ Women’s coaching team, alongside Derek Hardman.
Richards will combine that role with his new position as Head of Academy and Pathways Rugby, with his focus shifting to developing the next generation of St Helens talent.
The move comes after it was announced last week that long-serving academy head coach, Derek Traynor, will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Also making a switch at the season’s end is Eamon O’Carroll, who will depart rugby league to join rugby union.
Richards has been with Saints since 2014, and from 2018 to 2022 he was the head coach of England’s Women’s side.
This new role will see the men’s and women’s pathways combine together under one roof, as h
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St Helens announce new Head of Rugby
Commenting on his new role, Richards said to Saints’ club website: “I’m incredibly excited. It’s a big role with a lot of responsibility, a lot of heritage. I’m really looking forward to building on great traditions.
“Youth development is everything to me. Throughout my time at this club, what truly stands out is the collective pride displayed by everyone, all staff, coaches and supporters alike, at witnessing local players progress through and go on to have successful careers at St.Helens.
“It’s the backbone of everything we do and everything we can achieve on the field.”
Chairman, Eamonn McManus added: “This is a critical new and senior appointment for the Club, and we are fortunate to have a person of Craig’s experience and professionalism to assume this role.
“Craig already has immense experience within our Club in the areas which he will now lead and has the hard-earned respect and confidence of everyone in it.
“He is fully aware of the Club’s strong and continuing commitment to academy and pathways, both male and female, and its essential coordination with our first teams, and he will be a great leader in this area.
“In my 25 years as Chairman, the Board of Directors has always prioritised youth development as a fundamental facet of our business model as well as rugby philosophy. Its funding has always been and will be a key component of our investment strategy.”
