St Helens have appointed club legend Alan Hunte as the new head coach of their women's team.

The 56-year-old will replace joint-head coaches Craig Richards and Derek Hardman, who are stepping down from their roles.

Hunte is a member of Saints' Hall of Fame, having scored 189 tries in 244 games for the club in an eight-year spell from 1989 to 1997.

He won the Premiership, Super League and Challenge Cup during his time with Saints, as well as representing Great Britain on 15 occasions.

Since retiring from playing, Hunte has coached with Salford Red Devils and the England player development pathway.

"I want to create an environment that brings both competition and opportunity," he told the St Helens website.

"Everyone wants to be playing regularly, and we need an environment where players are pushed to improve and earn their place."

Saints' women's side won four successive Women's Challenge Cups between 2021 and 2024 but have not won a Super League Grand Final in five years.

Last season's fourth-placed regular-season finish was their lowest since the league's formation in 2017.