St Helens will play with the ‘shackles off’ in 2026 with forward Curtis Sironen assessing the ‘big change’ already seen under new coach Paul Rowley.
The fact that St Helens have been ‘shackled’ in attack has been one of their big flaws in recent years with the Red Vee’s defence up there among the best, and whilst they’ve often hammered weaker teams, they’ve struggled to score in the big games.
As such, a decision was made to let Paul Wellens go and go after attacking mastermind Paul Rowley and it seems the rewards are already being reaped, at least in training.
Second-rower Curtis Sironen has spoken to club media about the 2026 pre-season, stating: “It’s been a big change from the last few years, not only with the new staff and new players, but we’ve got a different daily schedule too, which has been really good.
“Everyone’s had to prove themselves again, the boys are training hard, and a lot of the young lads have really impressed. It feels like a fresh start.”
St Helens tipped to be “strong” in 2026 with Rowley impact already noted
That fresh start is perhaps what St Helens need given the fact they’re without silverware since the very start of the 2023 season when they won the World Club Challenge in Paul Wellens’ first game in charge.
More change has come this pre-season with a number of big name signings arriving from Australia, with Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer and Jacob Host all signing for Saints.
Host is someone who Sironen knows with the pair playing together previously and Sironen has backed his former teammate for big things, particularly under Paul Rowley.
On Host, he said: “He’s a big body but also a very skilful player. I think under Rowls [Paul Rowley] and the way we’re going to play, he’s going to be a great addition. He’s already been a really good pick-up for us.”
Speaking more on that playstyle, Sironen said: “Rowls [Paul Rowley] wants the shackles off. He wants us to back ourselves, play what we see, and trust our ability. It’s been great in terms of giving us players strong direction and clarity, and I think once we all get reps together and nail it I think it’s going to be really exciting.
“We’ve still got the international boys, Jackson [Hastings] and David [Klemmer], to step back in. Mix that with our young boys, I think we’ll be strong.”
St Helens made it to the Super League semi-finals last year, losing to eventual winners Hull KR, but they may well be fancied far more in 2026 given the addition of Paul Rowley as head coach, so long as he can solve the club’s spine problems.
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