Lee Briers leaves St Helens for Perth Bears switch
Lee Briers has left St Helens after two seasons as assistant coach to pursue a new opportunity.
Saints confirmed the departure on 7 October. The club said the 48-year-old wanted to explore a fresh challenge, with reports linking him to new Australian side Perth Bears, according to BBC Sport.
That next step is taking shape quickly. Briers is expected to join the Bears' coaching team in 2027 and work under head coach Mal Meninga, according to the St Helens Star. Perth are preparing for life in the NRL, Australia's top rugby league competition and the equivalent of Super League in Britain.
Briers knows the English game inside out. He started his playing career with his hometown club before joining Warrington, where he made 425 appearances as a stand-off, the creative playmaker who directs the attack. He is 48.
Coaching followed playing. Briers served on Warrington's coaching staff after hanging up his boots, then broadened his experience with the England national team, with Wigan Warriors and with Brisbane Broncos in Australia.
His last move across codes of the club game came in 2022. He left Wigan as assistant coach at the end of that season to take up an NRL opportunity with Brisbane, according to Super League.
St Helens must now reshape the backroom team. The club will appoint new assistant coaches under head coach Kevin Walters following Briers' exit.
For fans, this means change in a key voice. Assistants lead much of the week-to-week detail, from attack shape to kicking strategy. Briers brought recent experience from both Super League and the NRL. Perth, meanwhile, get a coach who has worked at big clubs in both hemispheres.
