St Helens: Paul Rowley steps down as head coach with immediate effect ahead of Wigan Warriors match in Super League
St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has stepped down with immediate effect; Rowley's departure, less than a year into the job, comes amid a difficult 2026 season; watch Wigan Warriors vs St Helens on Friday at 8pm (build-up from 7.30pm), live on Sky Sports+
Thursday 23 July 2026 15:43, UK
Paul Rowley has stepped down as St Helens coach with immediate effect.
Saints have endured a difficult season by their high standards as they currently hold the final play-off position in sixth place by two points - ahead of Hull KR who have a game in hand - having never missed the Super League play-offs.
Assistant coach Eamon O'Carroll will assume interim leadership of the team ahead of their Rivals Round match against Wigan Warriors on Friday, live on Sky Sports at 8pm (build-up from 7.30pm).
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"I would like to thank Paul for his commitment and extreme hard work as our head coach. He will always be warmly welcomed at the club," said St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus.
"The decision was an extremely difficult one for all concerned, and we fully recognise the extra challenges that Paul faced with us this particular season.
"We as a club must now look forward and do all within our powers to preserve our position as the most successful club in the history of Super League and to restore our position as a silverware contender going forward."
Rowley became Saints head coach at the end of last year after a troubled season with Salford Red Devils, where financial issues led them to finish bottom of the Super League.
Saints are six points behind league leaders Leeds Rhinos but suffered a 46-0 hammering to Toulouse earlier this month - the first time they had been held scoreless at home since 1980.
They were also thrashed 32-0 by Wigan Warriors in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.
Tomkins 'shocked' at Saints decision
Three-time Super League champion and Sky Sports' Sam Tomkins:
"I'm shocked. I certainly thought Paul Rowley had a little bit more time. Saints have been up and down this year, but the timing of it - the day before the original derby, Wigan vs Saints, it blew my mind that today was the right day to sack the head coach.
"I don't think any coach of a top side after 20 weeks into a season, his first season. would decide that's his time to go. It will have been a conversation between club and coach, and they've decided that's the best way to go.
"It would amaze me if if Paul Rowley took it on himself to say that I want to leave. But we're a results-based business, and I don't think it's that Saints have lost too many games this year, I think it's probably the manner in which they've lost at times.
"Saints wouldn't expect to be sat down in sixth after 20 weeks of the season. They've also got a really tough run-in to the end of the year, and I think this sounds like the club have gone 'look, we're borderline here'.
"This is a side that has always made the play-offs. Never once have they missed the play-offs. They sit in sixth, and there is a chance they could slip out of there.
"St Helens have gone 'look, we make a decision now that we go in a different direction, and hope that the players react to that and performance on the field changes'.
Super League 2026 Reverse Rivals Round schedule - live on Sky Sports
Thursday July 23
8pm: Hull FC vs Hull KR
Friday July 24
8pm: Wakefield Trinity vs Castleford Tigers
8pm: Wigan Warriors vs St Helens
Saturday July 25
3pm: York Knights vs Huddersfield Giants
5.30pm: Leigh Leopards vs Warrington Wolves
8pm: Toulouse Olympique vs Catalans Dragons
Sunday July 26
3pm: Leeds Rhinos vs Bradford Bulls
Sky Sports will show every game of the Super League live this season, including two matches each round exclusively live. The remaining five matches will be broadcast on Sky Sports+.
