Jamie Jones‑Buchanan has warned that St Helens are facing a substantial rebuilding phase 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’ position at seventh on the 2026 Super League ladder was cemented on Friday night when they were thrashed 48‑10 by the Leigh Leopards, while Hull KR’s 36‑6 victory over Huddersfield secured the top six spots. The defeat marked the seventh loss in the Saints’ last ten fixtures and the second heavy loss in as many weeks, following a 28‑point drubbing by Leeds a week earlier.
The back‑to‑back setbacks have sparked a chorus of concern among supporters and pundits alike, prompting calls for a clear‑out of under‑performing players and a reassessment of the club’s recruitment strategy. O’Carroll is set to be succeeded by former Brisbane Broncos and Australian head coach Kevin Walters ahead of the 2027 campaign. Walters, a seasoned tactician, will be tasked with restoring the Saints to their former dominance.
However, the club’s recent transfer activity has raised eyebrows. Injuries have also taken a toll; at one point in July, a staggering sixteen players were sidelined, leaving the squad severely depleted. In July, long‑time coach Paul Rowley stepped down after a string of poor results, including a 46‑0 loss to Toulouse – the first time St Helens had been held scoreless at home in a league match since 1980. At that moment the Saints were six points behind league leaders Leeds Rhinos, underscoring how quickly fortunes have shifted for a club that captured four consecutive titles between 2019 and 2022.
The narrative of decline has been amplified by a series of off‑field headlines. Recent articles have highlighted dominant performances elsewhere in the league – for example, Wigan Warriors Women’s 12‑50 demolition of Leeds Rhinos Women, and Liam Farrell’s announced retirement plans – but the focus here remains on St Helens’ internal challenges. "Nothing is given in sport," Jones‑Buchanan told Sky Sports.
"You certainly can't copy and paste from one generation to another because context is king. St Helens probably need a clear out." He continued, "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 there, perhaps staying a bit too long. Some are even playing out of position. Tristan Sailor and Jack Welsby showed flashes of brilliance against Leigh, but the overall puzzle just isn’t fitting together for St Helens." During the off‑season, the Saints added experienced Australian forwards Shane Wright, Jacob Host and David Klemmer, as well as half‑backs Jackson Hastings and Joe Shorrocks. Mid‑season, they secured Daniel Suluka‑Fifita, but salary‑cap constraints have limited further signings.
Meanwhile, key departures – Konrad Hurrell, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye and Joe Bennison – left noticeable gaps, and Kyle Feldt was released midway through the year. Looking ahead, the club announced a single new acquisition for 2027: Solomona Fa'ata'ape, arriving from Catalans Dragons.
Yet former Saints star and Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has been blunt about the recruitment approach, labeling it "shocking" and "short‑term". "They've made convenient, short‑term recruitment choices and haven’t replaced like‑for‑like. The strategy needs a complete rethink," Wilkin asserted. Wilkin added, "There are many young players thrust into the Super League who aren’t ready.
It’s good for their development, but the root cause is an aging squad at the start of the season that wasn’t durable enough, followed by sub‑par replacements. That’s why youngsters are wearing the Saints jersey and getting beaten by Leigh." O’Carroll, reflecting on the missed play‑off berth, acknowledged the disappointment but also saw a learning opportunity.
"It’s obviously really disappointing," he said after the Friday defeat. "This group has enjoyed consistent success, so experiencing adversity can be valuable. The conversations with Eamon and Abi have absolute clarity on what needs to be done, and I have confidence they’ll act. Kevin Walters arriving now could be the catalyst for acceleration." The broader context of the 2026 season includes Sky Sports broadcasting every Super League match live, with two games each round shown exclusively and the remaining five on Sky Sports+.
This extensive coverage ensures that the Saints’ struggles are on full display for fans across the country, intensifying the pressure on the club’s hierarchy to deliver decisive change. In summary, St Helens are at a crossroads. The combination of a bruising defeat to Leigh, a spate of injuries, questionable recruitment decisions, and an aging core has prompted calls for a thorough overhaul. With Kevin Walters poised to take the reins in 2027, the expectation is that a strategic revamp—balancing seasoned imports with a clear pathway for home‑grown talent—will restore the club to its traditional place among the Super League elite.
The next season will be a litmus test for whether the Saints can translate their storied legacy into a renewed, competitive future.