Match Preview: Challenge Cup Action

BACKGROUND…

Rugby league heads en masse to Elland Road this weekend as its unique Betfred Challenge Cup triple-header is played out in front of full crowds again for the first time in three years.

The occasion sees the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup final between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens precede the semi-finals of the men’s event, in which reigning champions St Helens face local rivals Wigan Warriors and the Huddersfield Giants meet Hull Kingston Rovers.

All three matches take place on Saturday at Leeds United’s stadium and first our Saints Women will look to make it back-to-back Betfred Challenge Cup Final wins with victory over Leeds Rhinos. Derek Hardman has named a strong squad whilst he also previewed the final here.

Our men then face Wigan in a derby clash for a place in the final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 28. Having done the league and cup double last season, Kristian Woolf’s men come into the semi-final with a big target on their backs.

The second semi-final will follow the Saints-Wigan derby and will see Hull KR and Huddersfield go toe-to-toe!

LAST TEN MEETINGS:

St Helens 22, Wigan 4 (SLR8, 15/4/22)
Wigan 2, St Helens 26 (SLR20, 20/8/21)
St Helens 24, Wigan 6 (SLR13, 4/7/21)
St Helens 8, Wigan 4 (SLGF, 27/11/20) (at KCOM Stadium, Hull)
St Helens 6, Wigan 18 (SLR19, 30/10/20)
Wigan 0, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 29/9/20) (at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford)
St Helens 40, Wigan 10 (SLQSF, 27/9/19)
St Helens 32, Wigan 10 (SLR22, 12/7/19)
Wigan 10, St Helens 36 (SLR11, 19/4/19)
St Helens 22, Wigan 12 (SLR1, 31/1/19)

Previous Challenge Cup meetings:

2012 (Quarter Final) Wigan 18 St Helens 4
2011 (Semi-Final) St Helens 12 Wigan 18 (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
2005 (Quarter Final) St Helens 75 Wigan 0
2004 (FINAL) St Helens 32 Wigan 16 (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
2002 (FINAL) St Helens 12 Wigan 21 (at Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
2001 (Round 4) St Helens 22 Wigan 8
1998 (Quarter Final) Wigan 22 St Helens 10
1997 (Round 4) St Helens 26 Wigan 12
1995 (Round 4, Replay) St Helens 24 Wigan 40
1995 (Round 4) Wigan 16 St Helens 16
1993 (Round 2) Wigan 23 St Helens 3
1992 (Quarter Final) St Helens 6 Wigan 13
1991 (FINAL) St Helens 8 Wigan 13 (at Wembley Stadium)
1990 (Semi-Final) St Helens 14 Wigan 20 (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
1989 (FINAL) St Helens 0 Wigan 27 (at Wembley Stadium)
1986 (Round 2) Wigan 24 St Helens 14
1984 (Quarter Final) St Helens 7 Wigan 16
1982 (Round 1) St Helens 12 Wigan 20
1977 (Round 2) Wigan 4 St Helens 9
1973 (Round 2) Wigan 15 St Helens 2
1966 (FINAL) St Helens 21 Wigan 2 (at Wembley Stadium)
1965 (Round 2) Wigan 7 St Helens 2
1961 (FINAL) St Helens 12 Wigan 6 (at Wembley Stadium)
1930 (Semi-Final, Replay) St Helens 22 Wigan 10 (at Mather Lane, Leigh)
1930 (Semi-Final) St Helens 5 Wigan 5 (at Station Road, Swinton)
1929 (Quarter Final, Replay) Wigan 25 St Helens 5
1929 (Quarter Final) St Helens 2 Wigan 2
1897 (Round 3) St Helens 11 Wigan 0

SQUADS

Read more by clicking here.

COACHES PREVIEW

Head over to Saints TV to hear Kristian Woolf’s thoughts ahead of the semi-final, whilst Morgan Knowles talks up what is set to be a memorable encounter!

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

James Child will be the referee and Ben Thaler has been appointed video referee.

KIT?

Saints are classed as the away team and so we will play in our 2022 away shirt!

MATCH PROGRAMME

Click here for information on how you can get your hands on a Matchday Programme.

CAN I STILL BUY TICKETS FOR THE MATCH?

Ticket information is available here and will come off sale online at 12noon Friday. Tickets will then be available at Elland Road –
Tickets will be available for purchase on Saturday at Elland Road, from 10am at the Leeds United West Stand Ticket Office – also for ticket collections.

WHAT TIME DO COACHES LEAVE ST HELENS?

Coach travel is fully booked and will depart the Totally Wicked Stadium at 10:00am on Saturday, May 7 to support the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final and will return after the completion of the St.Helens vs Wigan Warriors fixture. Any fans who would like to watch all three games must find an alternate method of transport.

Please be aware of a road closure on the route – Total Closure of the M62 Junction 7 Eastbound Entry Slip Traffic wishing to join the M62
Eastbound Carriageway at Junction 7 will be directed as follows: Travel westbound on the M62. Take the exit at Junction 6 and then turn around and rejoin the M62 heading eastbound. Continue along through Junction 7 where this diversion ends.

WHAT TIME DO THE TURNSTILES OPEN?

Gates will open at 11am and Saints fans are located in the south east corner of Elland Road – this includes any who travel to watch the Women’s final.

MATCHDAY INFO & PARKING

Lizzie Jones MBE will sing Abide with Me and the National Anthem before the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Elland Road on Saturday – the first part of a Cup Final double for Lizzie, who has already been confirmed to sing at the Betfred Challenge Cup Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this month.

A park and ride system is in place priced at £6 at the Metro Bus Park on Lowfield Road.

There are also shuttle buses on offer from the train station to Elland Road, priced at £3 return. Please note this is only from 1pm to 4pm – so does not include arrival before the Women’s Final. These will be available from Sovereign Street in the City Centre to take supporters to and from Elland Road throughout the day.

At the ground, Billy’s Bar on Elland Road outside the stadium will be open, and there will be a Fan Zone in the North-East corner of the stadium.

Full supporter information is available here.

STADIUM REGULATIONS AT ELLAND ROAD

• No flags are permitted over 1 meters squared (and no poles). Flags must have a fire safety certificate and must inform Elland Road with the certificate.
• Small bags will be checked – no glass or cans.
• Staff at Elland Road can provide wheelchair and a companion to assist (only 7 wheelchairs available) – Mobility scooters can be managed in north stand.
• Headsets for visually impaired commentary are available via the RFL.
• No smoking in stadium – includes E-cigarettes. Smoking areas are provided, but if you leave the Stadium and go off site, you will not be permitted back in.

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

Saints Women’s Final is live on BBC2 with kick off at 12 noon. Wigan vs Saints is then live on BBC 1 at 2pm with kick off at 2.30pm. 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.

RIVALS WATCH