Kevin Walters to join St Helens as head coach from next season

St Helens have announced that Australia head coach Kevin Walters will become their head coach from next season, the club said on 20 August 2026. The appointment follows discussions between the club and Walters, with a formal start date to be agreed.

Walters was named Kangaroos head coach last year after leaving Brisbane and is 58 years old. He led the Kangaroos to a 3-0 Ashes series win over England last year, and his previous coaching roles include Catalans Dragons, Queensland and NRL side Brisbane Broncos; as a player he won six NRL Premierships, made 20 State of Origin appearances and played 11 Tests for the Kangaroos, including being part of Australia's 1992 World Cup-winning team.

"St Helens are one of the most iconic and successful brands in rugby league," Walters told the club website., external "I am honoured to be given the opportunity to lead a club with so much history. "I look forward to bringing my experiences as a coach and blending those learnings into the winning culture of St Helens. "At the end of last year I witnessed first hand how tough, physical, and skilful the English players were. I look forward to being a part of Super League in 2027 with the Saints."

Chairman Eamonn McManus issued a club statement on the appointment, saying: "Kevin's vast experience at both club and representative levels is self-evident. "His motivation to succeed with the task at hand was both clear and compelling to us, as shown by the major career sacrifices that he is making in Australia to join St Helens. "This is a major statement of ambition both by St Helens and by Super League."

Eamon O'Carroll will continue as Saints interim head coach until the end of this season following the departure of Paul Rowley in July after less than a year at the helm.

Saints have endured a torrid season, with injuries heavily contributing to them being in danger of missing the Super League play-offs for the first time ever; they sit seventh in the table with three games remaining.

Former boss Paul Wellens opted not to extend his contract last year following a season when Saints pulled off one of the greatest comebacks ever when they beat Leeds Rhinos in the Super League play-offs.

Walters will remain with the Kangaroos for the World Cup on home soil in October and November before commencing a three-year contract with Saints in 2027.