The World Club Champions are coming home on Friday night for the first home fixture of the Betfred Super League season. A Grand Final rematch against Leeds Rhinos which kicks off at 8pm, and boy do we have a show for you!
Saints head into their Round 3 game in high spirits after a remarkable start to the 2023 season. First up was history-making trip to Australia with wins over St George Illawarra Dragons and Penrith Panthers, the later of which secured our third World Title. Following the team’s return home, Paul Wellens got his first Super League win away at Castleford Tigers.
Now, our World Club Champions are ready to play at the Totally Wicked Stadium for the first time in over five months in competitive match action.
Leeds Rhinos come into this game wanting to turn the tide, not only of their recent run of form against St Helens, but to get their campaign kick-started after losing to Warrington Wolves and Hull FC in the opening rounds.
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
If you have yet to secure your spot with a Match Ticket or Membership, and you want to see the Saints’ opening home league game of the year, then act quick!
The quickest and easiest method of securing your spot is by purchasing your ticket online by visiting eticketing.co.uk/saintsrlfc.
You can secure a digital or ‘Print at Home’ ticket which would not require you to visit the Ticket Office.
The Ticket Office at the stadium on gameday will be open for Memberships collections and enquiries only. Any Match Ticket collections need to be made from the Ticket Collection point located next to the Ticket Office.
EAST STAND – ENTRY AT THE TURNSTILE
Both St Helens and Leeds Rhinos supporters will now be able to go directly to the East Stand on matchday and pay for entry into the fixture on the turnstile.
Ticket prices start from just £24 for Adults, £17 for Concessions (Ages 65+ and 19-21), £14 for Youths (Ages 17-18), and £10 for Juniors (Ages 5-16).
Please note as the Totally Wicked Stadium is a fully cashless venue, card only will be accepted as payment.
AN UNMISSABLE MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE
With gates opening from 6:30pm, we advise Saints fans to arrive early and take in all we have an offer on gameday. Take a look at what we have in store for the Saints homecoming!
- Alternate rock band Riverstone performing live – 7:20pm
- AStar Saints Angels Cheerleaders – 7:40pm and at Half Time
- Light Show – from 7:45pm
- The BIGGEST flames and pyro at a Saints’ fixture to date – 7:55pm
- The World Club Challenge Trophy lap of honour – Half Time
On top of that we have upgrades our food and drinks on offer at the stadium!
Find out much more about what there is to eat and drink by clicking here or on the map below.
SQUAD NEWS
There is just the one change from the last round with Lewis Baxter stepping out of the squad and star winger Tommy Makinson back in the squad declaration after missing out on last week due to head injury protocols following the World Club Challenge.
Leeds Rhinos have made three changes to the squad that lost out at home to Hull FC, with Morgan Gannon, Leon Ruan, and Luis Roberts coming out and Liam Tindall, Jack Sinfield, and former Saint James Bentley stepping in.
The Rhinos squad in full is: 1. Richie Myler, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Nene MacDonald, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aiden Sezer, 9. Kruise Leeming, 10. Zane Tetevano, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Derrell Olpherts, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Tom Holroyd, 19. James McDonnell, 22. Sam Walters, 23. Liam Tindall, 25. James Donaldson, 29. Jack Sinfield.
WELLENS AHEAD OF HOME OPENER
The Saints boss spoke with excitement when previewing the game with press, and gives the latest regarding his team, including injury updates on Roby, Hopoate, and Paasi, all of whom miss out but could be back very, very soon in match action.
See Paul Wellens’ full previews as a Saints TV subscriber.
LOOKING AT LEEDS…
The Rhinos are on the hunt for their first win of the Super League season, having lost heavily in the competition opener at Warrington 42-10, and narrowly missing out against Hull FC at home last Friday night.
Leeds have added Sam Lisone, Justin Sangare, and James McDonnell to their forward pack, along with Derrell Olpherts, Nene Macdonald, and Luke Hooley to their outside backs. With the halfback pairing of Aiden Sezer and Blake Austin looking to guide the team around the field.
Last year following the mid-season appointment of Head Coach Rohan Smith the Rhinos found better fortunes and made it all the way to the Grand Final at Old Trafford in what was our last meeting. The Saints secured a fourth straight Super League title, winning 24-12.
Saints have a strong recent record against Leeds, winning the last twelve meetings, with the Rhinos’ last win over St Helens coming back in March 2018.
Last 10 meetings
Leeds 12, St Helens 24 (SLGF, 24/9/22) [at Old Trafford, Manchester]
St Helens 42, Leeds 12 (SLR16, 23/6/22)
Leeds 0, St Helens 26 (SLR7, 1/4/22)
St Helens 36, Leeds 8 (SLSF, 1/10/21)
St Helens 40, Leeds 6 (SLR24, 10/9/21)
St Helens 26, Leeds 18 (CCR3, 10/4/21)
St Helens 40, Leeds 8 (SLR17, 23/10/20)
Leeds 0, St Helens 48 (SLR8, 9/8/20)
Leeds 20, St Helens 36 (SLR26, 15/8/19)
St Helens 36, Leeds 10 (SLR19, 21/6/19)
Super League summary
St Helens have won 44 matches (this includes win in 2022 Grand Final & 1999, 2001, 2007, 2008 and 2021 play-offs). Leeds have won 32 matches (includes wins in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Grand Finals; 1998, 2005, 2013 and 2015 play-offs)
St Helens highest winning score was 62-18 at home back in 1999, with the widest margin being 48-0 at Headingley in 2020.
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Saints will be wearing the hugely popular 2023 Home Kit, which features our 150th year crest, along with an old-school, traditional Red-V.
You can get yours online by visiting saintssuperstore.com.
WHO IS THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE?
Chris Kendall will be the match referee, and he will be assisted by Touch Judges W. Turley and R. Thompson, and Video Referee Jack Smith.
BENNISON ON FIRST HOME GAME
Ahead of the game against Leeds, outside back Jon Bennison reflects on the Saints’ start to the year, the Australia trip and the electric atmosphere he’s expecting on game day.
Watch in full by subscribing to Saints TV!
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
Saints will be covering the match in full across our live Match Centre where you can find out the team news, follow live game updates, get behind the scenes photos and catch up on all the stories of the game.
Our club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated. Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers.
SAINTS SUPERSTORE
The Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium has everything you need to kit yourself out including our 2023 Home and Away replica kits!
2023 Members can use their discount and get 10% off all Hats, Caps, Scarves and Gloves!
THE REST OF ROUND 3 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Thursday
Warrington Wolves vs Salford Red Devils – 8pm
Friday
Catalans Dragons vs Hull FC – 6pm (UK)
Wakefield Trinity vs Huddersfield Giants – 7:45pm
Castleford Tigers vs Wigan Warriors – 8pm
Hull KR vs Leigh Leopards – 8pm
