St Helens have confirmed their new head coach with former Salford Red Devils man Paul Rowley now announced.
The Red Vee have been on the hunt for a head coach for just over a week having previously announced that they would not be offering Paul Wellens a new contract.
It’s not taken them long to find his replacement with Paul Rowley signed up on a three-year deal until the end of the 2028 season.
Rowley was out of contract with Salford having initially been appointed as their director of rugby for the 2026 season way back before the season started.
However, with the financial woes that have scuppered Salford’s 2025 season still continuing, as evidenced by their recent relegation from Super League and their impending HMRC case, Rowley has been handed an immediate release from that and will now join St Helens.
A statement from Salford had confirmed: “Salford Red Devils can confirm the immediate departure of Head Coach Paul Rowley, who will be taking up the role of Head Coach at St Helens ahead of the 2026 season.”
Paul Rowley signs three-year deal with St Helens
St Helens also released their own statement, confirming Rowley as their new coach and announcing the length of his contract.
They revealed: “St Helens R.F.C. is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Rowley as Head Coach of our First Team on a three-year contract, which runs until the end of the 2028 Rugby League season.”
Saints also confirmed that Rowley’s hiring was the result of a ‘thorough selection process’ that encompassed coaches on both side of the world.
They said: “Following a thorough selection process, which included coaches from across the world, Rowley has been chosen to take charge of the Saints Men’s First Team.
“The appointment of Rowley is an exciting one, given his dynamic style of play and proven record of developing and improving players. The former England international has established himself as a highly sought-after coach after impressive spells in charge of Leigh, Toronto, and most recently Salford.”
Rowley had previously guided Salford to a fourth-placed finish in 2024 before having his side torn apart and St Helens will be hoping that he can replicate that initial success and then guide them to silverware, something they’ve not had since Paul Wellens’ first game in charge back in 2023.
🤝 Welcome to Saints, Paul Rowley!
St.Helens R.F.C. is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Rowley as Head Coach of our First Team
Full story 😇 https://t.co/XyjTIApwPl#COYS
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) October 17, 2025
