We're going back to Round 1 with St. Helens hosting Huddersfield Giants at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm!
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 3:30pm on Sunday afternoon.
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.
SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens has made four changes to the Saints’ squad that was named for last week’s win over Salford. Jon Bennison, Sione Mata’utia, Joe Batchelor are all in contention!
Read more about our latest squad news by clicking on the image below.
Huddersfield Giants 21-man squad vs St. Helens
Ian Watson names an unchanged line-up to the side that got a 0-28 win away at struggling Castleford Tigers last Friday night.
1. Jake Connor, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jake Bibby, 6. Tui Lolohea, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Chris Hill, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Joe Greenwood, 12. Chris McQueen, 14, Ashton Golding, 15, Matty English, 18. Seb Ikahihifo, 20. Olly Wilson, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 23. Olly Russell, 24. Sam Halsall, 27. Jack Ashworth, 29. Sam Hewitt, 32. Will Pryce, 35. Adam Milner.
LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT – CROSSBAR CHALLENGE
One lucky Saints 2023 Member at half time on Sunday will get the chance to win x2 return flights to Bergen in Norway thanks to Widerøe who return to the aiport at the end of August! You’ll get a VIP LJLA experience with parking, lounge access and Fast Track Security!
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.
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 1 edition of Saints & Proud, the Saints faithful can read:
- Exclusive: THE BIG READ with George Delaney
- Match reports from our wins over Leeds and Salford
- An exclusive column from Head Coach Paul Wellens
- Saints 150: The first time Saints played Huddersfield
- Georgia Sutherland on joining and debuting for the Saints
- Chairman Eamonn McManus pens his regular column
- Plus much more…
Click HERE or on the image above to read our Match Programme!
WELLENS AHEAD OF HOSTING HUDDERSFIELD
The Saints boss knows Huddersfield head into this game in good form and will be looking to boost their hopes of pushing for a play-off position in the back-end of the 2023 campaign.
With a number of key senior Saints possibly available for selection, Wellens also provides the latest injury update on his Red V squad.
Saints TV subscribers can watch Paul Wellens’ preview in full!
RECENT RECORD AGAINST THE GIANTS
Last ten meetings:
St Helens 48, Huddersfield 6 (SLR14, 4/6/23)
Huddersfield 12, St Helens 14 (SLR6, 23/3/23)
St Helens 25, Huddersfield 0 (SLR19, 15/7/22)
Huddersfield 12, St Helens 24 (SLR9, 18/4/22)
St Helens 23, Huddersfield 18 (CCQF, 7/5/21) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
Huddersfield 10, St Helens 18 (SLR4, 22/4/21)
Huddersfield 6, St Helens 54 (SLR11, 4/9/20) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
St Helens 10, Huddersfield 12 (SLR6, 6/3/20)
St Helens 48, Huddersfield 6 (SLR28, 6/9/19)
St Helens 38, Huddersfield 2 (SLR18, 14/6/19)
Super League summary
St Helens and Huddersfield have faced one another in Super League on 59 occasions, drawing just once. The head-to-head score weighs heavily in favour of the Saints, 44 to the Giants’ 13 wins.
The highest winning Saints score against Huddersfield came back in 1998, 68-18, but the widest winning margin was back in 2018 by 66-4.
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!
A LOOK AT THE GIANTS…
Ahead of the 2023 season, Ian Watson’s side were widely tipped to do well, especially given their strong season in 2022 which saw them finish 3rd in the league and reach the Challenge Cup Final.
For 2023 Huddersfield brought in the likes of Jake Connor, Esan Masters, Jake Bibby, Harvey Livett, as well as former Saint Kevin Naiqama, so rightfully this raised the expectations, but they have struggled up until recent weeks to get the consistency to challenge right at the top.
Heading into Sunday, the Giants sit 10th in the league table winning 9 and losing 11 of their 20 games so far – but have won their last four games in a row. The recent run gives Watson’s men a shot of making it into the play-offs mix.
It was a real battle when the Red V and the Cowbell Army met back in March, with an intense, defensive display from both. Saints got the job done at the John Smiths’ Stadium, holding off a fightback and winning 12-14.
However, at Magic Weekend, Paul Wellens’ men put the Giants to the sword running in nine tries in a demolition at St. James’ Park.
HOW ROUND 1 PLAYED OUT BACK IN FEBRUARY…
The Saints and the Giants are the only sides in Super League action this week, finally catching up on the game in-hand that both have had due to St. Helens’ history making World Club Challenge victory over Penrith Panthers.
Warrington Wolves 42-10 Leeds Rhinos
Wakefield Trinity 24-38 Catalans Dragons
Leigh Leopards 10-20 Salford Red Devils
Hull KR 27-18 Wigan Warriors
Hull FC 32-30 Castleford Tigers
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!
PLAYER PREVIEW
James Roby reflects on the fantsstic comeback win over Salford last time out, and how he is throwing it back to his junior playing days by moving into loose-forward!
Watch the full player preview with Robes on Saints TV!
AUGUST’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the benefits of being a 2023 Member is being able to access a new monthly offer from Saints Superstore!
Ahead of school returning in September, the Saints Superstore has all the key items you need! 2023 Members can take advantage of 10% off all full price items in this category as well as the few items that have been price reduced for the month of August.
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.
