Paul Rowley: St Helens coach gives team license to be excited

The Saints made some big plays in the 2026 transfer window in their bid to revive their title aspirations, with top forwards such as David Klemmer and Jakob Host bringing punch to the group, and Nene McDonald adding an extra punch out wide.

The arrival of former steelman Jackson Hastings has added a strong touch of control and creativity to the mix too, reuniting Rowley with a player he worked with while in the Salford staff and a true playmaker.

Australian-born Hastings, 30, has played some of his best rugby league in the northern hemisphere and sees his second home in England as a place where he can get the right headspace.

His new boss is another key factor in that positive mindset.

“He never gets too high when we do something good or gets too angry when we’re not great,” Hastings told BBC Radio 5 live.

“Having that mental fortitude as a coach to stay even throughout the game, or when training sessions fluctuate, is something he has always been good at.

“Everyone talks about his team and how he moves the ball, but I think as a person, he’s beautiful even with his emotions and that’s something I really enjoy being around.

“For me, as someone who fluctuates a little bit, having someone really calm was nice.”

Hastings had to stand and applaud the Saints as they beat Salford and Wigan in back-to-back grand finals in 2019 and 2020.

He now teams up with Old Saints icons such as Welsby, Johnny Lomax and Walmsley on a daily basis, and they are the players at the heart of those disappointments.

“You can see why they are successful, they train hard, they are disciplined, they all do the little things that make you a great player, a great person and ultimately a great team,” Hastings said.

“They do the things you need to be successful and that’s great.

“We are trying to establish a new culture and everyone has agreed to that.”