St Helens appoint Ian Watson as assistant to Kevin Walters
St Helens have appointed Ian Watson as assistant coach to incoming head coach Kevin Walters.
The club confirmed the move ahead of the 2027 season, with the 49-year-old stepping into the role after a year with Hull KR, according to BBC Sport. St Helens detailed the appointment in a statement titled ‘St.Helens welcomes Ian Watson as Assistant Coach’.
Walters will take charge in 2027. He is currently coach of Australia, the national side. He inherits a team with a point to prove after St Helens missed the Super League play-offs in 2026. Super League is rugby league’s top division in Britain, and its play-offs are the end-of-season knockout that decides the champions. Saints had never previously failed to reach them.
Watson brings deep knowledge of that competition. He has been a head coach in Super League with both Salford and Huddersfield Giants. That experience covers building competitive sides on tight budgets and managing full-time squads week to week.
He returned to Super League for the 2026 season as assistant to Hull KR head coach Willie Peters, according to Sky Sports. Hull KR had brought him in on a two-year deal as assistant coach. He spent last season in east Hull before making the switch west.
What makes this stand out is the blend. Walters arrives with international pedigree. Watson knows the weekly grind of Super League. For fans, this means a fresh top team with local know-how alongside it.
