Saints face Championship Whitehaven at the LEL Arena on Saturday with kick off at 2pm as we look to book ourselves a spot in the Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Finals.
BACKGROUND…
The current cup holders begin their title defence with a trip to Cumbria to face Whitehaven in the sixth round of the competition. 20 places separate the two sides, St Helens sitting at the top of the Super League table and Whitehaven in 10th position in the Championship.
Whitehaven have only lost two of their last five games including an impressive win over York in the previous round of the cup. The Championship side are the lowest ranked side left in the competition and will be hoping to cause a huge upset.
There have been many links between the two clubs over the years, not least the signing of two players who became key members of the St Helens team of the early 1960s: John Tembey, the ball-handling front-rower and Captain of St Helens R.F.C. for a spell and the superb running back-rower Dick Huddart, a member of Saints’ Greatest 17.
Over the past few years several former Saints players have played up at the Recreation Ground either on loan or on permanent deals, such as Kyle Amor who started his career there, making over 40 appearances over two spells. Tommy Makinson, Carl Foster, Adam Swift, Jordan Hand, James Tilley and Josh Eaves have also played for Haven. The current Whitehaven squad also includes back-rower Liam Cooper, the former captain of Saints Academy in 2016.
For many Saints’ fans there is another familiar-sounding name in the halves for Whitehaven in 2022. Australian-born Alex Bishop is a member of one of the most famous rugby league dynasties, a family production line that, since the early 1960s, has produced a succession of competitive and skilful half-backs.
If Whitehaven are to have any chance of causing an upset, they will need their star man Alex Bishop to be firing on all cylinders with the Australian half-back already racking up 40 points in the league this season.
LAST TEN MEETINGS:
Whitehaven 22, St Helens 34 (CCR5, 25/2/01)
Whitehaven 4, St Helens 46 (CCR5, 13/2/94)
St Helens 44, Whitehaven 10 (CCQF, 25/2/90) (at Knowsley Road)
St Helens 41, Whitehaven 12 (CCQF, 1/3/87) (at Knowsley Road)
Whitehaven 8, St Helens 10 (JPST-R1, 30/11/86)
St Helens 26, Whitehaven 8 (LCR2, 25/9/85) (at Knowsley Road)
Whitehaven 21, St Helens 27 (SLC, 15/4/84)
St Helens 40, Whitehaven 10 (SLC, 15/1/84) (at Knowsley Road)
St Helens 41, Whitehaven 7 (SLC, 28/2/82) (at Knowsley Road)
Whitehaven 7, St Helens 9 (SLC, 6/12/81)
SQUADS
COACHES PREVIEW
Head over to Saints TV to hear Kristian Woolf’s thoughts ahead of the game, whilst Kyle Amor looks forward to his hometown club!
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Tom Grant will be the referee.
KIT?
Saints are the away team and so we will play in our new 2022 away shirt!
FOOD AND DRINK IN WHITEHAVEN
There will be numerous bars around the LEL Arena including various pop-up bars however due to licensing restrictions no alcohol can be sold until 12 midday. A polite reminder that all pop-up bars will be cash only including the Prosecco bar . There will be two located in the railway end and one located adjacent to the away changing rooms opposite the Kells end. The only bar accepting card payments will be the main JJMcKeown Bar.
Please note that all official Whitehaven RL bars are located within the LEL Arena. There will also be a number of food outlets around the LEL Arena.
CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS FOR THE MATCH?
Over 1,000 Saints fans will make the journey over to Cumbria and there will also be tickets available on the gate at The LEL Arena in Whitehaven.
WHAT TIME DO COACHES LEAVE ST HELENS?
Coach travel is also fully booked. Coaches will depart the Totally Wicked Stadium at 10AM.
WHAT TIME DO THE TURNSTILES OPEN?
Gates will open at 11.30 with all turnstiles open at this time including the re-opening of the Railway end turnstile. There will be a temporary suspension of the railway end turnstile once the St Helens coach and officials arrive while they make their way into the LEL Arena.
We would advise all fans to try and make a timely arrival at the LEL Arena to leave enough time to enter with small queues expected at all turnstiles once opened right until kick off at 2pm.
PARKING IN WHITEHAVEN
A small number of car parking spaces are provided close to the LEL Arena by our landlords at the charge of £2 per car (cash only) however there will be free parking available at the Copeland Centre located in Catherine Street, CA28 7SJ and the Ginns car park located at the top of Coach Road.
They are a number of other paid car parks around the town including the multi-story car park and near the Harbourside managed by Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners. However we would encourage all fans where possible to try and use alternative means of transport to come to the LEL Arena as we are expecting a high volume of traffic around the town centre.
I CAN’T ATTEND – WHERE CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The game is streamed live for FREE on The Sportsman’s YouTube Page which can be accessed by clicking here. Supporters can follow the game on our official Twitter, Facebook 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 for subscribers the following day.
CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER FINAL DRAW
RIVALS WATCH
Friday:
Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils – Friday 25 March, 7.35pm – PREMIER SPORTS
Hull KR v Leigh Centurions – Friday 25 March, 8pm
Saturday:
Whitehaven v St Helens – Saturday 26 March, 2pm – THE SPORTSMAN
Sheffield Eagles v Hull FC – 2pm
Leeds Rhinos v Castleford Tigers – Saturday 26 March, 4.30pm – BBC 2
Catalans Dragons v Featherstone Rovers – Saturday 26 March, 3.30pm local time.
Sunday:
Warrington Wolves v Wakefield Trinity – Sunday 27 March, 2pm – PREMIER SPORTS
Barrow Raiders v Huddersfield Giants – Sunday 27 March, 4.30pm – BBC 2
