**<big>St Helens sack coach Royce Simmons</big>**
AAP Tue, Mar 20, 2012 - 12:07 AM
http://www.nrl.com/st-helens-sack-coach-royce-simmons/tabid/10874/newsid/66398/default.aspx
**Super League giants St Helens have sacked coach Royce Simmons just seven games into the season following the Lancashire club's wretched start to the campaign.**
The Australian, in the second year of a two-year contract, guided Saints to a fifth successive grand final in October but that has been overshadowed by the club's worst start to a season since the English rugby league season switched from a winter to a spring kick-off.
Saturday's 12-8 loss at Bradford was their fourth straight defeat and Saints have taken just one point from their past five matches, their worst run since 1985.
Saints appointed head of performance Mike Rush as acting head coach, with former captain Keiron Cunningham as his assistant.
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: "Our season has got off to a difficult start and it is best to make change sooner rather than later.
"We have every faith in Mike Rush and Keiron Cunningham. They each know the club inside out and have all the experience together to take us forward."
McManus added: _"I would like to go on record to pay genuine tribute to Royce Simmons. He is a fantastic person and of absolute character and integrity, who has given everything to the club._
"I am sure that everyone at the club joins me in thanking him sincerely for all his work and dedication and to wish him and his family well for the future."