ST HELENS will lose assistant Eamon O’Carroll to rugby union at the end of the season.
The former Newcastle Thunder and Bradford Bulls head coach will join Llanelli-based side Scarlets, who play in the cross-country United Rugby Championship.
O’Carroll, 28, has been appointed as their defence coach, taking a similar brief to the one he has had with Saints.
He left Bradford to join the Red Vee as assistant to then-coach Paul Wellens ahead of the 2025 season, having also previously been number two at Catalans Dragons, and continued in that role this year under Paul Rowley.
While O’Carroll has primarily focused on their defence, fellow assistant Lee Briers has directed their attack.
After his playing retirement in 2017 due to injury, ex-Wigan Warriors, Hull FC, Widnes Vikings and Ireland forward O’Carroll turned straight to coaching.
He spent two years in charge of Newcastle, then led Bradford to third place in the Championship in 2024, his sole season there.
“The opportunity to join Scarlets was one that really excited me,” said O’Carroll.
“I’ve always tried to challenge myself throughout my career and step outside my comfort zone because that’s when I feel I do my best work.”
While O’Carroll will remain with St Helens for the rest of this campaign, Scarlets say he will contribute to their pre-season planning and make visits to their Parc y Scarlets base before joining full-time.
Their league season will start on September 19-20, the same weekend the Super League play-offs begin. The Grand Final is on Saturday, October 3.