A thrilling Thursday night awaits at the Totally Wicked Stadium as St. Helens host the table-topping Catalans Dragons in Betfred Super League action, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm!
TICKET & ENTRY INFORMATION
The quickest and easiest method of securing your spot at the Totally Wicked Stadium 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.
Find out more about our stands, ticket prices and Ticket Office hours by clicking here.
Turnstiles will be open from 6:30pm on Thursday night.
SUPPORTER SAFETY
St Helens R.F.C. want to ensure that everyone who comes to enjoy game days at the Totally Wicked Stadium can do so in a safe and friendly environment!
The Club would like to reiterate to supporters that it operates a zero-tolerance approach to any anti-social behaviour, at both our own home ground and when visiting other clubs’ stadiums. Misbehaviours that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to; physical or verbal abuse, violent conduct, missile throwing, excessive alcohol misuse, and any drug misuse.
Furthermore, the use of pyrotechnics is strictly prohibited under both rugby and football ground regulations. They can cause serious injuries to those who carry them as well as fellow spectators, as well as damage to surfaces such as the playing pitch which can cost clubs thousands of pounds.
The Club during last season and this season has taken preventative actions for home fixtures, with additional stewarding and ‘sniffer’ dog patrols around the stadium. Supporters may encounter these dog patrols when approaching the stadium.
St. Helens would also like to encourage parents/guardians of children coming to the ground to ensure they are always aware of what their child is doing and where in the stadium they are at all times.
LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT – CROSSBAR CHALLENGE
One lucky Saints 2023 Member at half time of our Super League match on Thursday night will get the chance to win x2 return flights to Lyon from Liverpool with easyJet*!
With the eyes of all the Saints faithful in the West Stand watching, the contesting Member will get three attempts to hit the crossbar from the 20m line.
Our new half-time challenge with Liverpool John Lennon Airport will feature at every home match for the remainder of the 2023 season, with outstanding destination flights to be won, so we as a Club are thrilled to be working with Merseyside’s airport!
*T&C’s apply.
SQUAD NEWS
Saints make two changes to the squad that was named for last week’s win over Wire, with Lewis Baxter and Tee Ritson stepping out of the team for this fixture. Curtis Sironen could make his return to action after picking up a slight hamstring injury during the Saints’ league game at Hull FC. Dan Norman has returned following his two-week loan at Leigh Leopards.
Read more on the Saints’ squad news by clicking on the image below.
The Dragons have been boosted by the returns of Mitchell Pearce and Sam Tomkins, however will be without Arthur Morgue due to an injury.
Catalans Dragons 21-man squad vs St Helens
2. Tom Davies, 3. Adam Keighran, 6. Tyrone May, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Mike McMeeken, 9. Micky McIlorum, 10. Julian Bousquet, 11. Matt Whitley, 12. Paul Seguier, 13. Benjamin Garcia, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Mickael Goudemand, 16. Romain Navarrete, 18. Tiaki Chan, 19. Arthur Romano, 21. Matt Ikuvalu, 23. Jordan Dezaria, 24. Tom Johnstone, 26. Manu Ma’u, 29. Sam Tomkins, 31. Tanguy Zenon.
THE BOSS PREVIEWS OUR CLASH WITH CATALANS
With the visitors the current leaders of the Betfred Super League and Saints one of the nearest in the chasing pack, it should be a high-quality affair.
Fresh off the back of the squad news, Wellens also gives the latest update on his squad too.
Saints TV subscribers can watch Paul Wellens’ preview in full!
SAINTS & PROUD
Our official Match Programme is available for supporters to read with plenty of great Saints news and features to read!
In our Round 19 edition of Saints & Proud, the Saints faithful can read:
- Exclusive: THE BIG READ with Morgan Knowles
- Match reports from our wins over Castleford and Warrington
- An exclusive column from Head Coach Paul Wellens
- Saints 150: The first time Saints played outside the UK
- Q&A with Saints Women’s star Katie Mottershead
- Jonny Lomax on the win over Wire
- Saints 150: The first time we faced Catalans
- Plus much more…
Click HERE or on the image above to read our Match Programme!
A LOOK AT THE DRAGONS…
Despite coming third in 2022, the Dragons were perhaps a little inconsistent to the high standards many have come to expect from them following their League Leaders’ Shield and maiden Grand Final season in 2021.
10 players left the club ahead of 2023 and Steve McNamara brought in some real quality in players such as Tom Johnstone, Manu Ma’u, Siua Taukeiaho and Adam Keighran alongside their ever increasing pool of French talent – and it looks to working wonderfully for the French side who are perched at the top of the league table.
Players such as Arthur Mourgue and Arthur Romano have shown brights spots of their talent with their best years still very much in front of them. At the other end there is Sam Tomkins who is looking to end his career on a high this season – whilst there is still no love lost with the former Wigan man – you can’t deny his star power which saw him earn the Man of Steel award in 2021.
The 2023 season has started brilliantly for the Dragons, with McNamara’s men looking like a well balanced side with plenty of big solid men in the pack, allowing their skilful backs to add the flair. But their lead at the top has been cut to just two points following their home defeat to Huddersfield at the weekend. They will be highly motivated, and ultimately are a team like Saints whose aims are silverware.
Across three meetings last year, the Saints won two time against Catalans, whilst the Dragons got the spoils once. The two sides have already faced one another in 2023 back in May, with the Dragons getting a home win at the Stade Gilbert Brutus by 24-12.
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.
JULY’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the benefits of being a 2023 Member is being able to access a new monthly offer from Saints Superstore!
During July you can get 10% off baseball caps and bucket hats!
FOOD & DRINKS AT THE TOTALLY WICKED STADIUM!
Find out much more about what there is to eat and drink by clicking here or on the map below!
RECENT RECORD AGAINST CATALANS
Last ten meetings
Catalans Dragons 24, St Helens 12 (SLR11, 5/5/23)
Catalans Dragons 20, St Helens 18 (SLR17, 2/7/22)
Catalans Dragons 20, St Helens 36 (CCQF, 9/4/22)
St Helens 28, Catalans Dragons 8 (SLR1, 10/2/22)
Catalans Dragons 10, St Helens 12 (SLGF, 9/10/21) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Catalans Dragons 31, St Helens 30 (aet) (SLR23, 4/9/21) (at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
St Helens 34, Catalans Dragons 12 (SLR18, 7/8/21)
Catalans Dragons 20, St Helens 16 (SLR7, 22/5/21)
St Helens 48, Catalans Dragons 2 (SLSF, 20/11/20)
St Helens 34, Catalans Dragons 6 (SLR4, 2/8/20) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
Super League summary
Saints and Catalans have met 46 times in league action, with the Red V leading the overall head-to-head score with 25 wins to the Dragons 16. Of our 25 wins over the French outfit, two have come in the play-offs in 2014 and 2020, and the big one in 2021 at the Grand Final.
The highest winning Saints score against Catalans came back in a 2007 home game, 53-10, and the Saints’ widest winning margin over the Dragons was in the 2020 semi-final winning 48-2.
BENNISON KNOWS SAINTS HAVE TO BE AT THEIR BEST
Back in the squad and enjoying his role, Jon Bennison chats to Saints TV about how dangerous Catalans are, citing how many meters they make through the middles, and know’s we’ll have to be at our best come game time.
Watch the full player preview with Jon Bennison on Saints TV!
THE REST OF ROUND 19 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Friday
Huddersfield Giants vs Wakefield Trinity – 7:45pm
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR – 8pm
Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves – 8pm
Saturday
Hull FC vs Castleford Tigers – 3pm
Sunday
Salford Red Devils vs Leigh Leopards – 3pm
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.
