Paul Wellens: St Helens name club legend as new head coach after Kristian Woolf’s departure

Paul Wellens will take over as head coach at his hometown club in 2023 in a two-year deal, with the option of a further year; France national team boss Laurent Frayssinous will join him as an assistant, while Ian Talbot retains role as assistant coach

St Helens have announced that club legend Paul Wellens will take over as their new head coach for 2023, with France head coach Laurent Frayssinous one of his assistants.

Wellens, who retired in 2015 after playing for his boyhood club for 18 years, has worked as an assistant at both St Helens and England for eight years under coaches such as Wayne Bennett, Steve McNamara and Shaun Wane.

The 42-year-old takes up the role in a two-year year deal – with the club having an option to extend his contract by a further year – and replaces Kristian Woolf, who leaves the club after winning three Grand Finals in a row.

Joining Wellens as his No 2 will be former Catalans Dragons boss Frayssinous, who will join up with the Saints after leading the French national team in the Rugby League World Cup, while Ian Talbot retains his role as an assistant coach.

“I am immensely proud to be named head coach of a club like this,” Wellens said. “Given the fact it is a club that I hold very close to my heart and one that I have been involved with all my life, it is a huge privilege and a huge honour for me.