PAUL WELLENS has responded to speculation linking him with an exit from St Helens.
Peter Lang, a rugby league columnist for The Western Weekender newspaper in Penrith, recently claimed that the Panthers’ second-in-command to Ivan Cleary, Ben Gardiner, was on Saints’ radar.
Lang posted on X: “WHISPERS: Panthers Assistant Coach Ben Gardiner is rumoured to be the number one target to take over as head coach for Super League side St Helens in the UK.
“Current Saints coach Paul Wellens is under increased pressure to keep his job after his side lost 17-4 to Leeds Rhinos last start.”
Now Wellens has responded to those claims.
“Obviously I’ve heard the reports, but I can’t get caught up in things that may or may not happen,” Wellens said.
“My focus has to be solely on the playing team, getting and supporting the players through what is a tough period at this moment in time.
“Some people may not believe that I’m a person who can get us out of the situation that we’re in at the moment and people are quite entitled to their opinion there, but I believe I am and I’ve got the full support of the team as well.”
Wellens was then asked if there had been any talks with those such as Mike Rush, to which he said: “I would very much expect if anything needed to be said, they would come to me first and foremost.”