Paul Rowley has stepped down as St Helens head coach with immediate effect, less than a year into his tenure. The 51-year-old joined before the 2026 season after four years at Salford Red Devils, but the club has struggled for form amid an injury crisis, sitting sixth in the table and six points behind leaders Leeds Rhinos. They have lost six of their past 10 games in all competitions.

Chairman Eamonn Mc Manus called the decision "extremely difficult" and acknowledged the extra challenges Rowley faced this season. Assistant coach Eamon O'Carroll will take over on an interim basis. O'Carroll, a former Ireland international who played for Wigan, Hull FC and Widnes, has previous head coaching experience at Newcastle Thunder and Bradford Bulls.

Rowley inherited a side that dominated the early 2020s with four successive Super League Grand Final wins under Paul Wellens. After an initial Challenge Cup win and a 10-from-11 run, form collapsed following a Challenge Cup semi-final loss to Wigan Warriors and a 46-0 hammering by Toulouse, leaving Saints in danger of missing the play-offs.