headline: Matty Smith: St Helens appoint former half-back as women's head coach
text: Former England half-back Matty Smith has returned to St Helens to take over as women's team head coach, with Derek Hardman switching to reserve team boss.
  35-year-old played 49 games for his hometown Saints, and also played for rivals Wigan, Salford, Catalans and Widnes on a permanent basis.
  Hardman makes way having won Super League and Challenge Cup honours as Saints women's boss.
  He will still work with Smith along with ex-England boss Craig Richards.
  Ian Talbot will retain his role as first-team assistant coach.
  "It's a great honour to be given the opportunity to come back to the club and coach such a talented group of women," Smith said. "I'm really looking forward to getting started and building up to what I know will be a successful 2023 season.
  "The chance to come back to the club was one I couldn't turn down. I hope with all the knowledge I have gained during my career I can use it to push the team to the next level."