ST HELENS have appointed former Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants boss Ian Watson as an assistant coach.
Watson joins Saints from Hull KR, where he has worked as an assistant coach under Willie Peters for the past year, and replaces another former Welsh international in Lee Briers.
He will work in an all-new coaching line-up alongside Kevin Walters once the new head coach’s commitments with the Australian national team conclude at the end of the World Cup.
“I’m proud and excited to be joining a club with the history and heritage that St Helens has,” said Watson.
“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.”
Watson featured in more than 500 games over a 20-year playing career before moving into coaching, initially with Swinton Lions before joining Salford.
Watson led the old Red Devils to their first-ever Super League Grand Final in 2019 and followed that by taking them to the 2020 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, losing on both occasions.
After taking charge at Huddersfield, he also guided the Giants to the 2022 Challenge Cup Final – suffering a third showpiece defeat – before departing the West Yorkshire club in July 2024.
In 2019, Watson also gained international experience as assistant coach to Wayne Bennett with Great Britain.
