St Helens are on the road again for the second time in two weeks, with a Friday night visit to Sewell Group Craven Park against Hull KR. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm!
The Saints are looking to shake off last week’s Good Friday defeat and return to winning ways but come up against a red-hot Robins side who have just won three games in a row, the latest a demolition over their inner-city rivals.
Saints made chances in last week’s game against Wigan but came short finishing them to get the result against a highly determined Warriors.
A positive result would provide a welcome boost to Paul Wellens’ charges and keep a strong recent run over Hull KR going.
TICKET & COACH TRAVEL INFO
Our away travelling support for the Saints this season, as always, has been fantastic and it continues to be so on Friday night with well over 500 of our supporters making the long journey!
The St Helens faithful will be located in the Colin Hutton North Stand.
Not got your ticket yet but want to go cheer on Saints*? Visit the ‘Away Ticket Booth’ located outside turnstiles 9 and 10 at the ground.
Our official Coach Travel departs from the Totally Wicked Stadium at 4:30pm on Friday afternoon.
*Please note ticket prices at Hull KR increase by £2 on the day of the game.
SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens’ squad has four changes to the one that was declared for last week’s game. Find out more about who comes in and who misses out by clicking the image below.
St Helens 21-man squad
1. Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 9. James Roby, 10. Matty Lees, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. James Bell, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 24. Lewis Baxter, 25. Tee Ritson, 26. Dan Hill, 30. George Delaney, 33. McKenzie Buckley, 34. Wes Bruines
Hull KR 21-man squad
1. Lachlan Coote, 3. Tom Opacic, 4. Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 5. Ryan Hall, 7. Jordan Abdull, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. George King, 11. Frankie Halton, 12. Kane Linnett, 13. Elliot Minchella, 14. Jez Litten, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 17. Matty Storton, 18. Jimmy Keinhorst, 20. Mikey Lewis, 21. Rowan Milnes, 22. Dean Hadley, 23. Louis Senior, 26. Sam Luckley, 29. Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, 33. Corey Hall
WELLENS ON “HUGE CHALLENGE” AT HULL KR
With a number of middle players unavailable due to injuries, plus Knowles’ suspension, Saints will need to dig deep against the Robins who are finding their flow in the league this season under new boss Willie Peters.
What the Saints boss was keen to reaffirm though, was that tough times create opportunities.
Saints TV subscribers can watch Paul Wellens’ full match preview!
A LOOK AT THE OPPOSITION…
For Hull Kingston Rovers, it simply doesn’t get better than their last result last week.
A HUGE 0-40 win over their nearest and dearest rivals, Hull FC, at their home ground on Good Friday, and the result over former boss Tony Smith.
Willie Peters is the new man leading the Robins and bolstered his 2023 squad with NRL talent; Tom Opacic, Rhys Kennedy and Sauaso Sue, alongside Super League players Louis Senior, James Batchelor, Yusuf Aydin and Sam Luckley.
Their squad looks to have a very good balance, but it’s their spine that looks the most exciting with Man of Steel finalist Jordan Abdull partnered in the halves with the young, dynamic Mikey Lewis, Matt Parcell at nine, and the star-man Lachlan Coote at fullback. Saints fans don’t need reminding how good Coote is.
Heading into Round 9, Hull KR sit in fourth place in the league table, playing eight matches, winning five and losing three.
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
As Friday’s game is an away fixture St Helens will be wearing our 2023 Away Kit, which in our milestone 150th year, features our club’s traditional colours of sky blue and navy, with a classic deep V design along with some finer details, including our 150 year crest.
Pick yours up online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
WHO WILL BE THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE?
Ben Thaler will be the referee for Friday’s game against Hull KR, and he will be supported by touch judges L. Rush and C. Worsley, with In Goal officials S. Ellis and N. Horton.
BENNISON LOOKS AHEAD TO HULL KR
With plenty of competition in the outside backs, Jon Bennison is happy battling to earn match opportunities and he feels in a good spot if selected against the Robins on Friday night.
The winger has three tries to his name so far in the 2023 Betfred Super League season and would be looking to add to his tally.
Watch the full player preview with Jon Bennison on Saints TV!
RECENT RECORD AGAINST HULL KR
St Helens currently hold a thirteen match winning run against the Robins, stretching back to 2015. No one needs any adding motivation coming up against the FOURmidable and World Club Champion Saints, but Hull KR have that to call upon if needed.
Saints however on the back of a Good Friday loss, with a number of players out, the motivation will be there to keep this run over KR rolling…
Last ten meetings
St Helens 38, Hull KR 12 (SLR24, 19/8/22)
St Helens 26, Hull KR 18 (SLR15, 12/6/22)
Hull KR 8, St Helens 42 (SLR4, 4/3/22)
Hull KR 0, St Helens 25 (SLR2, 1/4/21) (at Totally Wicked Stadium)
St Helens 21, Hull KR 20 (aet) (SLR12, 11/9/20)
Hull KR 18, St Helens 32 (SLR10, 30/8/20) (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
Hull KR 26, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 5/5/19)
St Helens 36, Hull KR 24 (SLR8, 29/3/19)
St Helens 26, Hull KR 4 (SLR17, 8/6/18)
Hull KR 6, St Helens 30 (SLR7, 23/3/18)
Super League summary
Saints and KR have met one another in Super League on 32 occasions, drawing just one. The head-to-head score lies firmly in favour of St Helens winning 22 times to Hull KR’s 9 victories.
The highest winning Saints score against the Robins came back in 2010, 68-12 which is also the Saints’ widest winning margin.
LAST TIME WE VISITED CRAVEN PARK
Take a look at how the game unfolded last time we went to Hull KR! Tommy Makinson was on fire with a hat-trick, with his third score an incredible finish!
Watch the full match replay of this game on Saints TV.
THE REST OF ROUND 9 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Thursday
Salford Red Devils vs Castleford Tigers – 8pm
Friday
Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons – 7.45pm
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC – 8pm
Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors – 8pm
Sunday
Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards – 3pm
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
The game is NOT on TV. 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 also be made available for Saints TV subscribers.
