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Incoming St Helens boss Kevin Walters has outlined the first task that he will undertake when arriving at the club this week. Walters will make an initial trip to the UK, setting out his stall and getting pre-season plans in motion before returning to Australia to coach the Kangaroos at the Rugby League World Cup. Both Walters and chairman Eamon McManus have spoken out about how an initial trip is paramount to setting up the side, with the new boss not being able to fully commit until mid-to-late November, when pre-season will already be in full swing. The 58-year-old was a guest on The Bye Round podcast, hosted by Saints legend James Graham, and there he spoke all things Red Vee, from how the move came about to some local St Helens sayings. One key talking point was the squad for 2027, and how Walters will likely have to make some “tough decisions” regarding some of the current playing group. Asked whether there could be a big overhaul in personnel, he replied: “That’s part of this initial trip over there, to establish who those players are. As a head coach, you always want to come in and strengthen what is already a very strong squad there at St Helens. “They’ve had their problems this year with injuries, and they’re not excuses, but reasons why they possibly are where they are in the table at the moment. “It’s not drastic where they are, they’re sitting just outside the six. I don’t see a lot of big changes, massive changes, but I feel like we need to put our little spin on it as well, and add what I believe can help the club player-wise as well. “It’s a strong roster, very strong roster, but that’s the first port of call, is [speaking to] the coaches and the support staff at St Helens, who I believe are very good in that space, then we’ll look at the roster. “We’ll sit down with the people over there and have a good chat about that as well, because we need to get that right. Having good people in the building is imperative.” Graham said that Walters has the ability to “make St Helens great again”, to which Walters explained: “I think they can, well I know they can. And there’s a process for that to happen. We follow the process, we’ll get it right, I’m sure.” St Helens’ new coach, World Cup fail and Hull KR’s top six chances – Click here to watch this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show Kevin Walters reveals conversations with NRL men over move as St Helens ambitions shared With the boss now announced at the Red Vee, he has revealed that his phone has already been ringing, with players and agents from the NRL scoping out what a potential move could look like. However, discussions with those people won’t progress until Walters has had a chance to meet the current squad, and work out what areas need strengthening. “I’ve had some phone calls with some players who are interested in seeing what it looks like over there [Super League], so again, once we get over there in the next couple of days, we’ll have some good, strong conversations with the CEO, Abi [Ekoku], and also Eamon [McManus, chairman] needs to be heavily involved. “I’ll meet all the staff, meet all the players, and we’ll get some movement going forward and make some decisions, and probably some tough decisions as well, which will have to be made, I would imagine” Asked about his goals for the next three seasons, Walters is incredibly optimistic that he can turn St Helens’ recent fortunes around, joking with Graham about how much room is left in the already overflowing trophy cabinet. The ex-Queensland coach likened the task ahead to his former role at the Brisbane Broncos. When he took charge in 2021, the club had just come though a season where they finished bottom, and after taking them to second in the ladder in 2023, the year after his exit saw Michael Maguire continue his success and win a Grand Final at the club. Laying out his ambitions, Walters said: “They are no different to the Broncos. I see them as very similar in a lot of ways. Big clubs, well known across the world of rugby league, and the reason why they’re big is they know how to be successful. “That was part of the enticement of going to St Helens is the history, and how successful they’ve been – I want to be part of that. “I want to be part of St Helens’ history, and not just history, but successful history. There’s a difference. And that’s why I’m heading over there – to be successful.”