Match Preview: Leeds Rhinos (A)

With two Saints sides in match action, we encourage fans who are travelling across to Leeds to get into the ground early to cheer our Women and Men on! If you’re watching from home, get tuned into Sky Sports Main Event or Arena to watch both games unfold.

• Leeds Rhinos Women vs St Helens Women – 5:30pm KO
• Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens – 8pm KO

Paul Wellens’ men are looking to make it three wins in a row after last Friday’s victory over Halifax Panthers secured a quarter-final spot in the Betfred Challenge Cup, and in the league we got the job done against Salford Red Devils a fortnight ago. With Leeds Rhinos exiting the Cup on home soil on Saturday, they will be keen on their home turf to get the win.

TICKET & ENTRY INFORMATION

• St Helens supporters have been allocated the West Stand at Headingley, which is a standing area and seats are also available for Saints fans in Section A of the North Stand.
• Stadium entry is open from 5pm ahead of the Women’s match at 5:30pm.

Full match ticket information can be viewed by clicking here.

Match tickets are available directly through St Helens until 12pm on Friday, 26th May at which point Ticket Collections will no longer be available at the Saints’ Ticket Office, with yet to be collected tickets made available at Leeds Rhinos’ Ticket Office on match night.

Match prices start from: Adults £24 – Concessions (65+, Student & 17-20) £16 – Junior £12 and Junior Members from £5.

It is advised to purchase tickets in advance as prices increase by £3 on matchday at Leeds, but fans can purchase tickets at the gate via Kirkstall Lane (Gate G) via card. Cash is not accepted on the turnstiles.

SAINTS WOMEN UP FIRST!

It’s one of, if not the, biggest games of the women’s rugby league calendar!

The Women Challenge Cup holding St Helens are heading over to Headingley to take on the current Women’s Super League champions, as both return to league action after securing their spots in the quarter-finals of the Cup.

Clashes between the Saints and Rhinos women are always high quality affairs and with both holding high aspirations of silverware once again, this match will undoubtedly be a must-watch.

SQUAD NEWS

Both Paul Wellens and Matty Smith have named their 21-player squad lists for the double header. The Men’s side have received a boost with the returns of three senior Saints, and the Women’s team could be handing out a debut to young centre Phoebe Hook.

Find out all about both squad declarations by clicking on the image below.

The Rhinos have named two changes to their 21-man team with Sam Lisone and Blake Austin both ruled out due to calf injuries, so in come Luke Hooley and Leon Ruan to the team, with Ruan possibly making his senior debut.

Leeds Rhinos 21-man squad to face St Helens

1. Richie Myler, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Nene MacDonald, 5. Ash Handley, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 16. Derrell Olpherts, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Tom Holroyd, 19. James McDonnell, 20. Morgan Gannon, 21. Luke Hooley, 22. Sam Walters, 23. Liam Tindall, 24. Luis Roberts, 25. James Donaldson, 26. Corey Johnson, 31. Leon Ruan.

WELLENS’ STRONG MESSAGE AHEAD OF FACING LEEDS

Speaking about the Saints discipline, the Head Coach referenced that he has issued a strong message to his players and reaffirmed the standards he expects from the squad in matches, and he believes that message has hit home with the squad.

The Red V boss also confirmed that the team is set for a boost with the return to the 21-man declaration for Konrad Hurrell alongside the no longer suspended Curtis Sironen.

Saints TV subscribers can watch Paul Wellens’ preview in full!

A LOOK AT LEEDS…

It’s been a season with plenty of changes for the Rhinos, with Rohan Smith’s first full season in charge they have been a real mix which is demonstrated by their 6 wins and 6 losses in the campaign to date.

The Saints and the Rhinos have already met in 2023 back in March in what was a fiery encounter. Blake Austin’s late drop goal got the win against the Red V who got reduced to 12 men in the final minutes of the game.

New signings such as Justin Sangare, Derrell Olpherts, Sam Lisone, Nene Macdonald have come into a side that boasts talent such as Aidan Sezer, Blake Austin, Ash Handley, Cameron Smith and Mikoaj Oledzki. They went all the way to the Grand Final last season after a dismal start but fell to Saints 24-12, our fourth straight title.

A further demonstration of their hit and miss form this season was shown on Saturday afternoon, after going 14-0 up at home in an impressive first half the Rhinos fell to a 14-18 defeat to Wigan Warriors and got knocked out of the Challenge Cup for the third successive season at the first hurdle.

Again in front of their own supporters at Headingley, Leeds will look to get back to winning ways against Saints.

WHO WILL BE THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE?

The referee for the Men’s match between Leeds and the Saints will be Liam Moore, he will be supported by the touch judges Jack Smith and Mark Craven, and Marcus Griffiths will be the video referee.

For the Women’s match, Matty Lynn is the referee, the touch judges are Freddie Lincoln and Oliver Salmon, with James Vella as the video referee.

WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

Whilst it is an away fixture, St Helens will be wearing our hugely popular 2023 Home Kit which features our 150 year crest and the traditional, old-school Red-V!

Pick yours up online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!

RECENT RECORD AGAINST LEEDS

Headingley has been a happy hunting ground in recent times for Saints, winning the last four away clashes at the home of the Rhinos.

Leeds last time out against St Helens got their first win over our team in thirteen attempts.

Last ten meetings:

St Helens 24, Leeds 25 (SLR3, 3/3/23)
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)

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 33 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.

WINGFIELD WANTS THE RESULT OVER LEEDS

After getting his first senior try for the Saints, Jake Wingfield is in good spirits and relishing his role in the squad. Still only 21-years-old, the forward is keen to step up in seniority and step away from being a ‘youngster’ in this champion team.

Head over to Saints TV to watch the chat with Wingy in full!

THE REST OF ROUND 13 IN SUPER LEAGUE

Thursday

Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors – 8pm

Friday

Catalans Dragons vs Wakefield Trinity – 6pm (UK)
Huddersfield Giants vs Castleford Tigers – 7:45pm
Leigh Leopards vs Warrington Wolves – 8pm

Sunday

Hull FC vs Salford Red Devils – 3pm

NEXT UP AT HOME… THE DERBY 🔥

300 🆙 FOR TOMMY

Friday night could be a milestone night for star winger Tommy Makinson, with his next appearance for the Saints marking 300 matches in the famous Red V!

Yet another proud product of St Helens’ youth ranks, Tommy made his debut back in 2011 and since then has gone on to become one of Super League’s best ever wingers! For the Saints he has score a whopping 173 tries, 253 goals and 1 drop goal, totalling a whopping 1,199 points.

A firm fan favourite, our Tommy has been an outstanding servant for our club!

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?

Saints will be covering both matches, if you would like updates of the Women’s match follow our St Helens Women’s accounts!

Saints Women: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

The Men’s game will be covered 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.

Both games will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena.