The future of St Helens icon Paul Wellens is in doubt, having left the NRL club he joined ahead of the 2026 season.

After his time as Saints boss came to a conclusion at the end of last season, Wellens embarked on a move to Australia and linked up with the North Queensland Cowboys for 2026.

Arriving as defence coach, the former full-back worked under Todd Payten at the club, but they were only able to manage an 8th-place finish and lost to Cronulla in the opening rounds of the finals.

Despite finishing in the play-offs, the side conceded the sixth-most points in the NRL with 652, an average of 27.1 per game.

North Queensland have today confirmed via a statement their coaching roster for 2027, and Wellens’ name is not part of the fold.

Payten will again lead the side as head coach, with Blake Green, Steve Sheppard and Jordan McClean remaining in their roles as assistants.

Mitchell Dunn has been promoted to an assistant role following two years as the Elite Pathways head coach.

With no mention of Wellens, it is uncertain what his next career move holds. There are reports down under that a move to the Dolphins could happen, meaning he would reunite with former St Helens boss Kristian Woolf once again.

The 46-year-old was a part of Brian McDermott’s England coaching staff at this year’s Rugby League World Cup alongside Sean O’Loughlin.

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