NATHAN BROWN will join St Helens at the end of the season with the Giants’ full blessing.

The Australian was yesterday confirmed as the new Saints’ coach for the next three years.

Brown made it clear he had no intention of leaving Huddersfield until his current Galpharm contract expires at the end of the Super League XVII campaign and hands over to assistant Paul Anderson, who will take charge for the next three years.

There was speculation Brown may leave early following Saints’ sacking of Royce Simmons two weeks ago.

But Brown has made it clear he is determined to end his four years at the Giants on high before handing over control to Anderson.

And Giants’ chiefs are happy with the way things have worked out.

“Nathan informed me recently as to the background of this news and my first reaction was to congratulate him upon securing such a prestigious position,” said Giants managing director manager Richard Thewlis.

“I was naturally surprised as I know his plan initially was that he wanted to return to Australia.

“But things do change and it will be good for the game in this country to have him stay for longer.

“Our plans for succession have been in place for some time now and I am sure everyone connected with the Giants will be doing all they can to make this last year here for Nathan a memorable and successful one.”

Brown has been linked with the job at Langtree Park for several months, but Saints have only just completed a deal, with chairman Eamonn McManus delighted they have finally got their man.

“We’re extremely pleased Nathan will be joining us next season,” he said.

“I believe he is ideally suited for the Saints both with regard to the way we want to play and as to what we aim to achieve in terms of success.

“He is still a relatively young coach but already has pedigree and experience gained over many years as a head coach at the highest levels both in the NRL and in Super League.”

Mike Rush and legendary Saints hooker and now assistant coach Kieron Cunningham will remain in charge at St Helens for the remainder of the season.

But Cunningham is already excited about working under Brown from 2013.

“I’m excited about Nathan’s arrival and really look forward to working with him,” he said.

“The strength of our squad and of our coaching team in the years ahead will put us in a very strong position to continue to improve and to succeed at the highest level.”

An injury crisis means Hull are likely to turn to retired forward Lee Radford to bolster their pack in Friday’s derby with Hull KR.

The 33-year-old Radford called time on his career at the end of the 2011 season and has not played since, other than an appearance in his testimonial game against Bradford in January.

However, with coach Peter Gentle struggling for numbers ahead of the game, he has asked Radford, who now serves as one of his assistants, to dust off his boots.

The decision was made necessary when Eamon O’Carroll was today ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.

With Chris Green, Mark O’Meley, Joe Westerman, Aaron Heremaia and Mike Burnett also injured, and Sam Moa in Australia on compassionate leave, Gentle has few options to choose from up front.

The arrival of Jay Pitts from Leeds has boosted his numbers, but Radford is still required and has been registered accordingly.

Gentle may have better news in the back division, though, with both Wade McKinnon and Kirk Yeaman hoping to be fit for Hull, who face the Giants at the Galpharm Stadium in Super League on Monday and the clubs clash again in the Challenge Cup’s fourth round at the KC Stadium on Sunday, April 15.

Friday’s derby game will take place at the KC Stadium, having been switched from Rovers’ MS3 Craven Park Ground which is currently out of action owing to work being done to the North Stand.