Jamie Jones‑Buchanan has warned that St Helens face a massive rebuilding task after Eamon O’Carroll’s side failed to qualify for the Super League play‑offs for the first time in the club’s storied history. The Saints were confirmed in seventh place on the 2026 ladder on Friday night following a crushing 48‑10 defeat at the hands of Leigh Leopards, while Hull KR’s 36‑6 victory over Huddersfield secured the top six spots. That loss marked the Saints’ seventh defeat in their last ten fixtures and the second heavy reversal in as many weeks – they had already been battered by a 28‑point margin at Leeds a week earlier.
The back‑to‑back drubbings have sparked a chorus of criticism aimed at the club’s recruitment policy and its handling of a severe injury crisis that saw as many as sixteen players unavailable at one point in July. The situation was compounded when Paul Rowley stepped down as head coach in the same month. At the time, St Helens were six points adrift of league leaders Leeds Rhinos, and they had just endured a 46‑0 shut‑out by Toulouse – the first time the club had been held scoreless on home soil in a league match since 1980. After a period of dominance that produced four consecutive titles between 2019 and 2022, the Saints now find themselves in an unexpected slump, prompting fresh scrutiny of their player‑acquisition strategy.
Looking ahead, O’Carroll is set to be replaced by former Brisbane Broncos and Australia head coach Kevin Walters before the 2027 season. Walters, a seasoned tactician, will be tasked with revitalising a squad that appears to be in need of a fundamental reset. Yet, before any new coach can make an impact, the club must address the underlying issues that have led to its current predicament.
"Nothing is given in sport," Jones‑Buchanan told Sky Sports, emphasizing that success cannot simply be transferred from one generation to the next. "You certainly can't copy and paste from one generation to another because context is king. St Helens probably need a clear‑out. They have some exceptional young talents coming through, but they're arriving at the wrong time, not having the best of experiences.
Older players are still around, perhaps for too long, and some are playing out of position. Tristan Sailor and Jack Welsby were brilliant against Leigh, showing flashes of genius, but the overall puzzle hasn't fit together for St Helens." During the off‑season, St Helens attempted to bolster the roster with seasoned Australian forwards Shane Wright, Jacob Host and David Klemmer, as well as signings such as Jackson Hastings and Joe Shorrocks. Mid‑campaign, they added Daniel Suluka‑Fifita, but salary‑cap restrictions have limited further acquisitions.
Meanwhile, several key departures – Konrad Hurrell, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye and Joe Bennison – left a noticeable void, and Kyle Feldt was released mid‑season. The only confirmed addition for 2027 so far is Solomona Fa'ata'ape, arriving from Catalans. St Helens legend and Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has been blunt about the club’s transfer policy, describing it as "shocking" and "short‑term".
"They've made convenient and short‑term recruitment choices. They've not replaced like‑for‑like and they need to rethink their recruitment strategy," Wilkin said.
He added that the influx of inexperienced youngsters into the Super League is a symptom of a deeper problem: an aging core that could not endure a full season, coupled with sub‑par replacements for departing veterans. "That's why young guys are having to put a Saints shirt on and are getting flogged by Leigh," he argued. "The root cause is sloppy recruitment over three or four years." O’Carroll, reflecting on the missed play‑off spot, admitted that the disappointment could serve as a catalyst for future improvement.
"It's obviously really disappointing," he said after the Friday defeat. "This group has had a lot of success, consistent success, so to experience a bit of adversity is good in some respects. Moving on now, I feel the conversations with Eamon and Abi have absolute clarity in terms of what needs to be done and I have every confidence they'll do that. For Kevin Walters to come in, it's probably a great time to come in now and for the club to accelerate forward." The broader Super League picture remains competitive, with Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR, Leigh Leopards and St Helens all still in contention for the final charge.
However, the Saints’ recent performances suggest they must address both squad depth and strategic planning if they hope to return to the upper echelons of the league. In practical terms, the club faces several immediate challenges.
First, the injury list must be managed more effectively, perhaps through enhanced sports‑medicine support and rotation policies that reduce player fatigue. Second, the recruitment approach needs a long‑term vision: targeting players who not only fill positional gaps but also complement the club’s playing style and culture. Third, the development pathway for home‑grown talent should be accelerated, ensuring that promising youngsters receive the mentorship and game time required to transition smoothly into first‑team roles.
If Walters can implement a clear recruitment blueprint, integrate the existing talent pool, and foster a winning mentality, St Helens could well rebound next season. Until then, the consensus among former players, analysts and fans is that a substantial overhaul – a "clear‑out" of under‑performing veterans and a strategic infusion of quality signings – is essential for the club to reclaim its former glory.