It's time to finally begin the Saints' Betfred Super League 2024 campaign! St.Helens host London Broncos at the Totally Wicked Stadium this Friday, 16th February with kick-off at 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 or on the image below.
The Club are advising supporters to where possible please arrive a little earlier than usual, we expect to be busy at points of entry ahead of kick-off.
📰 SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens has named his first 21-man squad of the new season and four Saints debuts could be made!
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Season Opener squad news.
London Broncos’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens
🗣️| 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓!!
Mike Eccles has named his 21-man squad for the season opener at @Saints1890.#WeAreLondon🏉 pic.twitter.com/n7PuvF4oCr
— London Broncos (@LondonBroncosRL) February 14, 2024
🐎 A LOOK AT LONDON…
It was an incredible achievement for the Capital club to return to the big time last Autumn, but it was something they richly deserved for their fantastic efforts in the Championship play-offs.
Finishing fifth in the regular season meant London would need to get eliminator victories over Sheffield Eagles and then high-flying Featherstone Rovers to make it to the Grand Final. They did that, but would need to go away once more to Toulouse Olympique…
A famous comeback win 14-18 over the French side booked the Broncos back into Super League for 2024.
Their indicative IMG grading has all but confirmed that London are unlikely to be back in the top-flight in 2025, but that should mean the pressure is off. Their Head Coach Mike Eccles was the winner of the Championship Coach of the Year in 2023 and calmly built a good environment that saw them shock the world last Autumn. Could they do it again?
THREE TO WATCH
- Lee Kershaw – following Wakefield’s relegation, the winger has been training with Leeds and joined London initially on loan before completing a deal for 2024, adding dangerous pace to the Broncos’ back-line
- Alex Walker – loyal to London, Walker is a solid fullback who was pivotal to their play-off run, including being named Player of the Match in the Championship Grand Final
- Hakim Miloudi – versatile, his skill can lend him to play in a number of positions and his combinations with his teammates will likely be the root of London’s attacks
JACK BENNETT PERFORMING LIVE!
Local sensational artist Jack Bennett will be getting the atmosphere really buzzing for the Season Opener with his his amazing vocals, and likely a few renditions of a few of the Saints faithful’s favourite songs!
You can catch Jack performing just ahead of the Saints coming out for warm up around 7.25pm in the heart of the West Stand on our entertainment platform.
🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
The Saints’ brand-new 24 Home Kit will get its first league run out on Friday night against London!
Our traditional white shirt with a Red Vee is a sharper, modern look, with watermark shard designs whilst the ‘V’ itself is a subtle two-tone design, a feature never before seen on a St.Helens shirt.
Get your 24 Home Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
📲 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.
🛍️ FEBRUARY’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
With the start of the new season 2024 Members can take advantage of 10% off our Matchday Training Range this February at the Saints Superstore.
The Saints Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium will be open from 9am until 8pm on Friday for game day.
Shop our 2024 Matchday Range here!
📊 THE RECORD AGAINST LONDON
Super League summary
St Helens hold a strong advantage over London Broncos in the Super League era, including when the side were known as Harlequins between 2006 and 2011. Saints have won 39 meetings with one of those wins in the 2003 Play-Offs, whilst London have won 8 times, and the two sides have drawn twice.
The Red V’s highest score over London came in 2003 at Knowsley Road winning 62-16, whilst the widest points margin was away in 2008 in a big 54-0 victory.
Last ten meetings
London Broncos 32, St Helens 12 (SLR23, 21/7/19) (at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
London Broncos 23, St Helens 22 (aet) (SLR17, 9/6/19) (at Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing)
St Helens 26, London Broncos 0 (SLR5, 8/3/19)
London Broncos 16, St Helens 58 (SLR21, 19/7/14) (at The Hive, Barnet)
St Helens 48, London Broncos 18 (SLR11, 1/5/14)
St Helens 38, London Broncos 10 (SLR24, 9/8/13)
London Broncos 21, St Helens 14 (SLR13, 27/4/13) (at Twickenham Stoop)
St Helens 30, London Broncos 0 (SLR26, 31/8/12)
London Broncos 24, St Helens 34 (SLR1, 4/2/12) (at Twickenham Stoop)
Harlequins 16, St Helens 34 (SLR27, 10/9/11) (at Twickenham Stoop)
🛫 LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT: CROSSBAR CHALLENGE
One lucky Saints 2024 Member at half time on Friday will get the chance to win x2 return flights to Guernsey thanks to Aurginy*!
At the start of April, Aurigny will commence flights from Liverpool to Guernsey, so you can escape for some island life and book your flights at www.aurigny.com.
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.
As a Club are thrilled to be working with Merseyside’s airport! *T&C’s apply.
🥤 FOOD & DRINKS
Find out much more about what there is to eat and drink by clicking here!
👀 Why not try the new Cottoms Chicken Balti pie at the game?!
3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ UP FOR CLARK
Should Daryl Clark feature on Friday night, not only will the occasion mark his St.Helens official debut and grant him his Saints Heritage Number, the fixture would also be his 300th Super League appearance!
- 214 for Warrington Wolves (2015-2023)
- 85 for Castleford Tigers (2011-2014)
🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
James Vella will be the referee for Friday night’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Warren Turley and Denton Arnold, and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Marcus Griffiths at Rugby League’s new remote refereeing base.
🦺 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 recent seasons 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.
