St.Helens are looking to make it three wins from three at the start of Betfred Super League 2024 when we host Leigh Leopards at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday, 1st March, 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.
📰 SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens has named his 21-man squad for the big clash against Leigh, with a possible debutante as one of our Academy graduates is named in the selection for the very first time!
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round Three squad news.
Leigh Leopards’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens
1. Gareth O’Brien, 2. Tom Briscoe, 3. Zak Hardaker, 4. Ricky Leutele, 5. Josh Charnley, 6. Matt Moylan, 7. Lachlan Lam, 10. Robbie Mulhern, 11. Kai O’Donnell, 12. Jack Hughes, 13. John Asiata, 14. Dan Norman, 15. Matt Davis, 16. Frankie Halton, 17. Owen Trout, 18. Ben Nakubuwai, 19. Ed Chamberlain, 20. Oliver Holmes, 21. Ben McNamara, 24. Umyla Hanley, 33. Brad Dwyer.
🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 3 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Friday
Warrington Wolves vs Castleford Tigers – 8pm
Wigan Warriors vs Huddersfield Giants – 8pm
Saturday
Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons – 3pm
Salford Red Devils vs Hull KR – 5:30pm
Sunday
Hull FC vs London Broncos – 3pm
Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 3 by clicking here.
💬 COACH PREVIEW
Paul Wellens previews the Saints welcoming Leigh Leopards to the Totally Wicked Stadium and talks about the derby feel to this fixture following three physical battles last season.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!
🐆 LET’S LOOK AT LEIGH…
Leigh Leopards in many ways were the story of rugby league in 2023.
The re-brand from Centurions and the squad recruitment got their fans purring of a successful season in the top-flight and looking to stay up for longer than one season as they had done previously – and they did strongly and logged their greatest day of the modern era with a win at Wembley. It was a fairy tale season, but now comes their second season back in Super League.
Adrian Lam has continued to be backed by bold owner Derek Beaumont with some solid recruitment in the off-season. Former Saints Dan Norman and Lewis Baxter are amongst the new faces, but their headline signing is half-back Matt Moylan from NRL side Cronulla Sharks.
Alongside fellow Leigh stars such as Lachlan Lam, Josh Charnley and Ricky Leutele, the Leythers will be hopeful of another big campaign.
The Saints and Leigh faced off three times in 2023 and all three were physical, bruising battles, only settled in the closing stages of each fixture. Fans should expect the same on Friday night, with the Red V keen to keep the good start of the year rolling, whilst Lam’s Leopards want to get off the mark after losing out in Round One and having a week off.
THREE TO WATCH
- Matt Moylan – Leigh’s statement signing joins after 191 NRL appearances, he will be looking to link up well with Lam and lead off their attacks
- Josh Charnley – a prolific try scorer, the former Wigan and Warrington winger has established himself as one of the best in the league at finishing in the corner if he gets a chance
- Lachlan Lam – the match winner at Wembley was pivotal last year for Leigh, he too will want a strong combination with Moylan
🛫 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 Budapest thanks to Wizz Air*!
One of Europe’s best city break destinations, you can fly from Liverpool to Budapest with Wizz Air. Book your flights at https://wizzair.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.
🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
The Saints’ 24 Home Kit will be worn on Friday night against Leigh!
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!
🟣 MARCH’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the many benefits for our 2024 Members is a special monthly offer with the Saints Superstore!
In March, 2024 Members get 10% off our stylish Captain’s Run Range!
The Saints Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium will be open from 9am until 8pm on Friday for game day.
Shop our 2024 Captain’s Run Range at saintssuperstore.com!
📊 THE RECORD AGAINST LEIGH
Super League summary
St.Helens and Leigh have faced each other in Europe’s top rugby league competition on just nine occasions. Friday night’s visitors have won just two of those games, whilst our Saints have won seven.
The highest winning Saints score against Leigh (and also the widest margin) came back in 2005 at their former home, Hilton Park, in a demolition 4-78.
Last ten meetings
St Helens 22, Leigh 12 (SLR25, 8/9/23)
Leigh 12, St Helens 10 (CCSF, 22/7/23)
Leigh 20, St Helens 12 (SLR4, 10/3/23)
St Helens 42, Leigh 12 (SLR21, 26/8/21)
Leigh 12, St Helens 22 (SLR5, 30/4/21)
St Helens 28, Leigh 6 (SLR12, 28/4/17)
Leigh 24, St Helens 16 (SLR2, 24/2/17)
Leigh 4, St Helens 78 (SLR26, 4/9/05) (at Hilton Park)
Leigh 20, St Helens 27 (SLR22, 22/7/05) (at Hilton Park)
St Helens 60, Leigh 16 (SLR9, 8/4/05) (at Knowsley Road)
🎧 ERIC MCKENNA – LIVE IN THE WEST STAND
You can catch the incredible DJ and music producer Eric McKenna performing a live DJ set on the West Stand Performance platform!
Eric will begin just ahead of the Saints coming out for warm up at approximately 7.25pm in the heart of the supporters in the West Stand, and will get the atmosphere primed and ready for what promises to be a brilliant Super League game!
🥤 FOOD & DRINKS
Find out much more about what there is to eat and drink at the Totally Wicked Stadium on gameday by clicking here!
Why not try the Saints’ new Cottoms Chicken Balti pie? 👀
Cottom’s mobile pie van will be in-situ in the Totally Wicked North Stand, serving a selection of their very best pies, including that brand-new Balti pie!
ABK Beer – the Official Beer of Rugby League – will be a new draught beer available in the RedV Bar and in the Southwest corner of the stadium, close to the Tom Van Vollenhoven mural!
🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Liam Moore will be the referee for Friday night’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Jonny Roberts and Rich Thompson, and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Chris Kendall at Rugby League’s new remote refereeing base.
📺 PLAYER PREVIEW
After picking up his first match appearance and try in Super League 2024 last week away at Huddersfield, Jon Bennison is keen to retain his spot in the side and keep improving week on week.
Jon knows it will be a tough game, but as ever the home support will help us through what is sure to be a fierce contest!
Watch the full player preview with Benno on Saints TV!
🦺 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.
