Paul Wellens feels hungry, equipped and ready for what he describes as the ultimate privilege after being announced as the next head coach of St Helens.
As exclusively revealed by The Sportsman last week, Wellens has been confirmed as the successor to Kristian Woolf as the club bids to build on a record four successive Grand Final wins.
The club legend will be assisted by France head coach Laurent Frayssinous, and has confirmed he will not now take up his coaching role with England for the forthcoming World Cup.
READ MORE:
- Featherstone Rovers Appoint Rugby League Legend Sean Long As Head Coach
-
Rugby League Classics: The Last Time England Beat Australia In The World Cup
Instead, and after a brief family holiday, the former Saints and Great Britain full-back will set about plotting a fifth successive Betfred Super League title in his first ever role as a head coach.
“I’ve had a connection with this club from the days of standing as a young boy on the terraces at Knowsley Road,” Wellens told The Sportsman.
When it became clear that Kristian may be moving on, I made my own intention perfectly clear that it was an opportunity I wanted and one I felt I had earned.
"I’m delighted they have shown the trust in me and feel I can do the job.
“I know this group of players, I know what they are about, what motivates them and what drives them. I have a fantastic group around me who have been here a long time so we are in the best position possible to continue our success.”
Wellens is a hugely popular figure with Saints fans thanks to a glittering playing career that yielded 495 club appearances, five Challenge Cups and five Grand Final wins on top of 31 international caps.
Having been assistant coach to Woolf for each of the Australian’s three years in the job, Wellens admits he would have remained in that role had Woolf opted to stay on rather than move back to the NRL.
Woolf leaves enormous shoes to fill, and a sky-high expectancy that arguably makes it an impossible job - reaching and winning finals is now almost a guarantee for this team, and something their passionate fans have grown to believe will be delivered.
Wellens though says that rather than make his job harder, this is something upon which he will thrive.“There is expectancy but I like that. Whenever we start a season we have one goal in mind so whether we have won the last three or four that goal doesn’t change.
“What this group has developed is an understanding of how to win big games and that is invaluable.
“There are not many coaches within this game who wouldn’t want to coach this group of players.”
Wellens reveals that in choosing the experienced Frenchman Frayssinous as his assistant, he is giving himself and the club the best chance to build on their recent successes.
“I wanted someone with head coach experience given I’m a rookie head coach. He has worked with some amazing coaches and he is a fresh pair of eyes and a different voice.
“We have a huge amount of good people here but they have been here a long time and he might see little areas of improvement where we can evolve.”
The delaying of retirement from James Roby has helped too. “I was delighted when Roby said he was playing on a year as having him there as team leader will help me settle into the role a lot quicker.”
Wellens gave a passionate and assured first performance in front of the media as Saints boss, but there is clear caution within the club given their previous experience of promoting a club legend into the top job - Kieron Cunningham sacked within a couple of trophyless years of leading his team in a stadium with his own statue outside.
This does feel different given the experience Wellens has accrued and the strength of the team that he is not only taking on but that he already knows so well.
“We have to do everything we can to stay ahead of the pack because our rivals are striving for improvement and have a thirst for success,” he adds.
“We need to be aware of that. I’m the person to set the standards but they are already high.
”These players believe they can get better and that excites me.”
Wellens landed his first head coach role on the same day as his legendary former Saints team-mate Sean Long secured his, taking charge of ambitious Featherstone Rovers.
The walls leading up the stairs of Saints’ Langtree Park stadium are adorned with images of the pair, who remain good friends and in regular contact.
“I’m delighted for Sean and I know he is for me,” Wellens adds. “I wish him every bit of success and I’m sure we will continue to talk rugby over the coming months. He is someone like myself who has wanted this opportunity.”
*Be Gamble Aware | 18+
