Match Preview: Saints vs Castleford Tigers – R19

Saints face Castleford Tigers in a repeat of the Challenge Cup Final here at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday evening with kick off at 7:45pm and you can find out everything you need to know right here in our Match Preview story!

BACKGROUND…

St Helens meet Castleford Tigers at the Totally Wicked Stadium in Round 19 of the Betfred Super League. The game is a repeat of the Challenge Cup Final which saw Saints come out on top! Kristian Woolf’s men arrive into this fixture in strong form, winning both games since that Cup final – the latter a 34-12 victory over top of the table, Catalans Dragons.

Castleford also head into this one on the back of an impressive 32-18 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Emerald Headingley and will look to avenge their Wembley defeat.

But the Tigers are seeking their first summer era away win at St Helens (and first ‘road’ victory in 34 games overall). In the 15 visits they made to Knowsley Road between 1996 and 2010, the Tigers were defeated on 14 occasions. The closest they got to a summer victory at Saints’ old home came with a 32-32 draw on 13 September, 1998. Castleford’s last win at St Helens was 12-8 in the third round of the Regal Trophy on 19 December, 1992. Their last league win was 29-16 on 21 October, 1990.

The game will hold extra significance for two players. Saints star Sione Mata’utia is in line to face his older brother Peter when the two sides meet on Thursday night and you can hear from them both right here.

LAST TEN MEETINGS:

Castleford 12, St Helens 26 (CCF, 17/7/21) (at Wembley Stadium)
St Helens 10, Castleford 0 (SLR16, 16/8/20)
Castleford 28, St Helens 14 (SLR7, 15/3/20)
St Helens 4, Castleford 0 (SLR27, 30/8/19)
Castleford 16, St Helens 36 (SLR16, 26/5/19)
Castleford 12, St Helens 42 (SLR7, 22/3/19)
St Helens 26, Castleford 0 (SLS8-R7, 28/9/18)
Castleford 18, St Helens 40 (SLR16, 24/5/18)
Castleford 18, St Helens 36 (CCR6, 12/5/18)
St Helens 46, Castleford 6 (SLR1, 2/2/18)

21 MAN SQUADS

Read more by clicking here.

COACHES PREVIEW

Head over to Saints TV to hear Kristian Woolf’s thoughts ahead of the game, whilst Sione Mata’utia joins his brother and Castleford’s Pete to chat about their history of going head to head ahead of tonight’s game!

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Ben Thaler will be the referee, whilst Liam Moore will be the video referee.

KIT?

Saints are the home team and so will play in our traditional red and white kit.

CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS FOR THE MATCH?

This is the first game back at the Totally Wicked Stadium which will see an unrestricted crowd. Tickets are still available online here until 12noon Thursday.

Cash turnstiles are available on the West Stand (standing terrace) only, for any seated tickets, these are only available via the Ticket Office open from 10am on Saturday.

The Ticket Collection Point located next door to the Ticket Office (see below map) is the place to collect your pre-ordered ticket.

WHAT TIME DO THE TURNSTILES OPEN?

Gates open at 6.15pm with kick-off at 7:45pm. The RedV Cafe Bar at the stadium is open from 5pm.

CAN I BUY FOOD AND DRINK?

Our food & drink kiosks are now fully operational for the first time, with a range of food and drink options available including our RedV Smooth Bitter and Carling on draught.

We are beginning a transition towards a cashless operation in our Kiosks in the near future – contact-less card payment is now available on all tills with cash payment only available on the left hand single till at each kiosk.

SAINTS SUPERSTORE

The Superstore at the stadium will be open from 10am up until kick-off – our Champions Trainingwear Range has now been re-stocked.

Please be aware that you will not able to pre-order our Magic Shirt in-store on match day, this can only be done online here.

MATCHDAY PARKING

Click here to read where you can park on matchdays.

I CAN’T ATTEND – WHERE CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

The game is aired on Sky Sports Arena from 7.30pm with kick off at 7.45pm.

Supporters can also follow the game on our official TwitterFacebook and Instagram accounts as well as on our Live Match Centre.

Reaction will follow the Full-Time whistle on our website and social media channels whilst the highlights and the full 80 minute replay will be on Saints TV on Monday for subscribers.

MATCHDAY E-PROGRAMME

Download the next 2021 edition of the Club’s official e-programme, a solely digital version of the traditional matchday programme, which is now available to view for FREE in our new GameHub!

The Club recently linked up with MatchDayInfo, the global providers of digital match day programmes, which will see the Saints Matchday E-Programme available to view on an App and new-look ‘GameHub’ platform.

READ THE E-PROGRAMME ON OUR GAMEHUB BY CLICKING HERE (or scan the QR code below)

You can also click here if you want to download and print the E-Programme.

Alternatively just scan the QR code with your phone camera below.

Fans can also download the MatchdayInfo App for FREE to their Android or iPhone device. Once you have downloaded the FREE MatchDayInfo App on your Android or iPhone device select ‘St Helens’ as your Club and you will receive a push notification as soon as we upload the latest edition of our e-programme to the App! Also available on the App is the full set of 2019/20 issues which you can enjoy.

In today’s edition we have an interview with our newest signing, Will Hopoate. Plus read an update from Head Coach Kristian Woolf on all things the Club, including why he brought the Tongan international to the Club. We have a look back in time thanks to Saints Heritage Society. We also have all the low-down on Castleford plus. Don’t forget to CLICK the links to watch the videos and find out more about all our partners through their adverts.

RIVALS WATCH

Friday:
Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC – 7.15pm
Salford vs Huddersfield – 7.30pm
Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors – 7.45pm – Sky Sports
Leigh vs Leeds Rhinos – 8pm

Sunday:
Wakefield vs Warrington – 3pm

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