Paul Wellens has named his first matchday squad as St Helens Head Coach ahead of this Friday night's clash against Widnes Vikings at the Totally Wicked Stadium for Mark Percival's testimonial game (kick-off at 8pm).
Wellens has named a strong 32-man squad list, despite confirming that Mark Percival alongside our England World Cup internationals, Will Hopoate, and captain James Roby will not feature. A number of youngsters who have not been allocated a First Team squad number this season will get their chance to make their senior non-competitive debuts for the Club.
New face Tee Ritson is also in line to make his first appearance in our colours following his loan move from Barrow Raiders for the 2023 season. Whilst Lewis Dodd & Alex Walmsley could also get their first taste of match action in 2023 and return to the field following their injury rehabilitation.
Our mix of Reserves & Academy prospects who could take to the field for their maiden First Team games are Jake Burns, Eliot Peposhi, Alfie Pyke, Will Roberts, Dayon Sambou and Jonny Vaughan.
Although he will not be playing in the fuxture, Friday will be a night of celebration for our star centre Mark Percival, who was born in Widnes but came through the Saints Academy and has gone on to make 199 competitive appearances in the Red V so far.
Percival has played his part in the club picking up five Super League trophies, four League Leaders’ Shields, and one Challenge Cup, getting named in the Super League Dream Team on three occasions, and featuring for England six times.
On the back of a great pre-season, Percival is looking to be at his best for the four-in-a-row title winning Saints in 2023, especially with the team heading to Australia to take on back-to-back NRL Premiership winners Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.
SAINTS SQUAD
5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Agnatius Paasi, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. James Bell, 20. Dan Norman, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 24. Lewis Baxter, 25. Tee Ritson, 26. Dan Hill, 27. Jumah Sambou, 29. Taylor Pemberton, 30. George Delaney, 31. Daniel Moss, 32. Ben Lane, 33. McKenzie Buckley, 34. Wesley Bruines, Jake Burns, Keane Gilford, Eliot Peposhi, Alfie Pyke, Will Roberts, Dayon Sambou and Jonny Vaughan.
WIDNES SQUAD
1. Jack Owens, 2. Ryan Ince, 3. Matt Fleming, 5. Kieran Dixon, 7. Tom Gilmore, 8. Owen Farnworth, 9. Matty Fozard, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Sam Wilde, 12. Adam Lawton, 13. Liam Bent, 14. Jordan Johnstone, 16. Callum Field, 17. Shane Grady, 18. Joe Lyons, 19. Olly Davies, 20. Joe Edge, 21. Lewis Hatton, 22. Aaron Brown, 23. Will Tilleke, 25. Brad Holroyd, 27. Ant Walker, 28. Ryan Millar
There are six former Saints players in the Vikings matchday squad in Jack Owens, Matt Fleming, Matty Fozard, Kyle Amor, Brad Holroyd and Ant Walker.
TICKET INFORMATION
Pre-ordered tickets for Friday’s Mark Percival Testimonial match vs Widnes Vikings are ready to be collected from the Ticket Office at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
The Ticket Office is open from 9am-5pm each day this week and will also remain open up to kick-off on matchday.
Any remaining collections will be accessible from Ticket Collection Point open from 6pm onwards on matchday.
This is located next-door to the main Ticket Office.
Fans can also Pay on the Gate on the West Stand, please be aware this is by contactless card payment only, no cash can be taken.
All general ticket info for the fixture can be found here.