FORMER St Helens coach Paul Wellens has joined NRL side North Queensland Cowboys as an assistant coach.

Wellens left Saints last month after three years in charge, ending a near 30-year association with the club.

He will now head to Australia as part of the coaching team under boss Todd Payten at North Queensland, who finished 12th last season.

Cowboys general manager Michael Luck said: “Paul was one of the great players of the modern era in the Super League, who has developed into a very accomplished coach.

“He is a winner and he is a competitor. He has extensive experience as both an assistant and head coach and we are thrilled to secure his services.”

Wellens played 495 games for St Helens, winning 17 trophies in as many seasons, and joined their staff upon his retirement in 2015.

After working with the academy and as a first-team assistant, he took the head coach role ahead of the 2023 season and won the World Club Challenge in his first competitive game.

But no further silverware followed, with Saints losing two Super League play-off semi-finals including last season against Hull KR, after which the club opted not to renew his contract.

Wellens has served as an assistant coach with England under Steve McNamara, Wayne Bennett and Shaun Wane, and briefly worked with Tonga.

North Queensland have also appointed Blake Green, who played for Hull KR and Wigan Warriors as well as enjoying an extensive NRL career, as an assistant.