Jamie Jones‑Buchanan has warned that St Helens are facing a substantial rebuilding phase after Eamon O’Carroll’s side failed to secure a place in the Super League play‑offs for the first time in the club’s storied history. The Saints’ seventh‑place finish in the 2026 Super League was cemented on Friday night when they were routed 48‑10 by the Leigh Leopards, while Hull KR’s 36‑6 victory over Huddersfield confirmed the top six positions. The defeat marked the seventh loss in the Saints’ last ten fixtures and represented the second consecutive heavy defeat, following a 28‑point drubbing at the hands of Leeds a week earlier. The club’s fortunes have plummeted dramatically from the dominant run that saw them claim four consecutive titles between 2019 and 2022.
O’Carroll is set to be succeeded by former Brisbane Broncos and Australian head coach Kevin Walters ahead of the 2027 campaign, and the experienced Australian will be tasked with revitalising a side that appears to be in disarray. However, the club’s recruitment policy over the past few seasons has come under intense scrutiny, especially as St Helens have been plagued by an injury epidemic that at one point saw sixteen players sidelined in July. That same month, long‑time coach Paul Rowley stepped down after a string of poor results, including a 46‑0 thrashing by Toulouse – the first time the club had been held scoreless at home in a league match since 1980.
At the time of Rowley’s departure, the Saints were six points adrift of league leaders Leeds Rhinos, underscoring the depth of the crisis. Jones‑Buchanan told Sky Sports that “nothing is given in sport” and stressed that the Saints cannot simply copy the formula that worked for previous generations.
“St Helens probably need a clear‑out,” he said. “They have some exceptional young talent coming through, but they are arriving at the wrong time and not getting the best experiences.
There are older players who have perhaps stayed too long, and some are playing out of position.” He highlighted the performances of Tristan Sailor and Jack Welsby against Leigh, noting moments of brilliance but lamenting that the overall puzzle has not fit together for the Saints. During the off‑season, St Helens added experienced Australian forwards Shane Wright, Jacob Host and David Klemmer, as well as signing Jackson Hastings and Joe Shorrocks.
Mid‑campaign they also secured Daniel Suluka‑Fifita. Yet salary‑cap restrictions have limited further acquisitions. Meanwhile, several key departures – Konrad Hurrell, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye and Joe Bennison – left over the summer, and Kyle Feldt was released midway through the season.
The only confirmed signing for 2027 so far is Solomona Fa'ata'ape, who will join from Catalans. Former Saints great and Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has been blunt in his assessment, describing the club’s recruitment as “shocking” and “terrible”. He argued that the Saints have made convenient, short‑term signings rather than replacing outgoing players on a like‑for‑like basis. “There are a lot of young guys who have been thrust into the Super League who aren’t ready,” Wilkin said.
“That’s because you started the year with an ageing squad that wasn’t durable enough, and then you filled the gaps with sub‑par replacements. The result is young players wearing the Saints jersey and getting trounced by teams like Leigh.” Wilkin’s criticism points to a deeper structural issue: a recruitment strategy that has, over the past three to four years, favoured quick fixes over sustainable squad building. The lack of adequate replacements has forced the club to rely heavily on its academy, which, while promising, cannot be expected to consistently compete at the highest level without proper mentorship and experience.
O’Carroll, reflecting on the season and 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 loss. “It doesn’t sit well with me that I’ve been part of that, and I won’t shy away from it. This group has enjoyed consistent success, so experiencing adversity is good in some respects.
The conversations with Eamon and Abi have absolute clarity about what needs to be done, and I have every confidence they’ll act on it. Kevin Walters arriving now could be the perfect moment for the club to accelerate forward.” The broader context of the Saints’ decline includes a series of heavy defeats that have shaken the confidence of both players and supporters. The 48‑10 loss to Leigh was not just a statistical anomaly; it exposed defensive frailties, a lack of cohesion in the backline, and an over‑reliance on a few individuals to carry the workload.
The earlier 28‑point loss to Leeds and the historic 46‑0 shutout by Toulouse further highlighted systemic problems in both attack and defence. Looking ahead, the Saints must address several key areas if they hope to return to the summit of the Super League.
First, a thorough audit of the recruitment process is essential, ensuring that any new signings complement the existing core and fill genuine gaps rather than serving as stop‑gap measures. Second, the club needs to manage its salary‑cap more strategically, perhaps by releasing under‑performing veterans to free up space for high‑impact recruits.
Third, the development pathway for academy graduates must be refined, pairing young prospects with seasoned mentors who can guide them through the rigours of top‑flight rugby league. Kevin Walters, known for his tactical acumen and ability to rebuild squads, will have a daunting task ahead. He will need to balance the integration of promising youngsters like Sailor and Welsby with the acquisition of experienced players who can provide leadership on and off the field. Moreover, Walters must foster a culture that values long‑term planning over immediate, superficial fixes.
In summary, St Helens are at a crossroads. The combination of poor recruitment decisions, an injury‑hit roster, and an ageing core has led to a precipitous decline from perennial champions to a club fighting for a play‑off berth. The forthcoming transition to Kevin Walters offers a glimmer of hope, but only if the Saints’ hierarchy embraces a comprehensive overhaul of their recruitment philosophy, invests wisely within the salary‑cap, and nurtures their youth pipeline with the support it needs to thrive.
The next season will be a critical test of whether the Saints can reverse their fortunes and restore the dominance that defined them for much of the last decade.