Ian Watson leaves Hull KR staff to join up with Super League rival

St Helens have added Ian Watson to their backroom staff as Kevin Walters prepares to take charge at the Brewdog Stadium.

Watson has spent the last year with Hull KR having returned to rugby league after a spell in the 15-man code in America. He helped Willie Peters' side win the World Club Challenge this season and reach the Challenge Cup final.

However, he will be leaving the Robins to join up with Walters' Saints ahead of the 2027 season, with Watson taking on an assistant role in the wake of Lee Briers and Eamon O'Carroll's departures.

Watson is vastly experienced as a coach and he has held head coach roles at Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants previously, with the former Wales international leading the Red Devils to the club's first ever Grand Final.

He'll be embarking on a new challenge with St Helens now though, with the aim undoubtedly being to help push the club back towards the very top of the division.

“I’m proud and excited to be joining a club with the history and heritage that St Helens has," Watson told the Saints. "Everybody in rugby knows the size of the club and what it represents, not just here but globally.

“Over the years, I’ve had some pretty intense battles with Saints, really tight games when I was at both Salford and Huddersfield. You always have the utmost respect for the players who play for St Helens and the supporter base as well.

“One of the games that sticks out was a really tight one when we ended up losing 31-30 with Salford at St Helens. The Saints crowd just seemed to understand when the team needed them and when they needed to come in at the right times to create that energy from the stands.

“I think that comes from the town being a rugby town, and from the club having high standards and demands, with the ability to compete, and the want to win as well. There are some great amateur clubs around here too, and that’s what the club has been built upon. That community within the local people and players coming through from those great clubs.”

On the notion of working with Walters, Watson added: "He’s been a serial winner and has probably achieved everything you can in the game, both as a player and a coach. When you think about him coaching Australia now, he’s at the top of the game.

"My job is about supporting Kevin, getting the right environment and working hard to get St Helens back to winning silverware.”

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