Richard Marshall appointed assistant coach at St Helens

Former Halifax boss Richard Marshall has been named as Sean Long’s successor as assistant coach at St Helens.

Marshall, 43, left Halifax earlier in the season after four and a half years in charge, while Long departed Saints this week to take up a role with Harlequins rugby union.

Coach Justin Holbrook said: “It’s great news for our club that Richard has decided to join us as Assistant Coach.

“He had a few offers and opportunities he could have taken up elsewhere, but he has chosen our club which is a great sign of the direction we are going as a club and it is great to have such an experienced coach join us.

“He has proven himself as a great assistant early in his career at Warrington and has obviously done a fantastic job at Halifax as Head Coach over the last four and a half years so I am looking forward to working with him.”

Marshall played for Halifax, Huddersfield, London and Leigh, and also represented Ireland.

He said: “I had a number of options after I left Halifax, but I met Mike and Justin last week and when a club like St. Helens comes calling you jump at the chance.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to continue my development at a fantastic club and I cannot wait to get started.”

The former Warrington assistant starts his role with immediate effect and will be alongside Holbrook and fellow assistants Paul Wellens and Ian Talbot for the visit of Huddersfield on Friday.