Match Preview: Leeds Rhinos (A)

The first of back-to-back trips to AMT Headingley Stadium, with St.Helens taking on Leeds Rhinos on Friday, 15th March, with kick-off at 8pm.

🎟️ TICKET & ENTRY INFORMATION

Saints supporters will be predominantly based in the Western Terrace, with some seated supported in North Stand (Section A) too.

Away fans will need to enter the stadium through the turnstiles stated on the tickets which are Gate G – which is on Kirkstall Lane. Turnstiles for this match will be open three hours before kick-off (5pm).

Bags no larger than A4 paper are allowed into the stadium and will be subject to search on arrival. Fans may also be searched upon entry too.

Purchasing tickets on matchday

It is advised to purchase tickets in advance of matchday as the price at Leeds Rhinos is increased on matchday, however, Saints fans can still get their tickets online by visiting tickets.therhinos.co.uk up to kick-off with the ticket sent via email to be used at turnstiles.

Fans can also purchase tickets directly on the turnstile for the away section of the stadium by going to Gate G on Kirkstall Lane with contactless payment via a debit/credit card, or a payment service via smartphone. No cash will be accepted at the turnstiles.

Matchday ticket prices

  • Adults – £27
  • Concessions (65+ & 17-23) – £22
  • Juniors (16 and under) –  £15

📰 SQUAD NEWS

Head Coach Wellens has three changes to the squad he last announced with Matty Lees and Joe Batchelor available for selection following injuries, whilst Konrad Hurrell is also back after serving a one-match suspension.

Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round Five squad news.

Leeds Rhinos’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens

1. Lachie Miller, 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Brodie Croft, 7. Matt Frawley, 8. Mikolaj Oledzki, 9. Andy Ackers, 10. Tom Holroyd, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 16. James McDonnell, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 21. Jack Sinfield, 23. Leon Ruan, 24. Luis Roberts, 25. James Donaldson, 29. Alfie Edgell, 31. Ned McCormack.

🦏 LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT LEEDS…

Leeds have added some high profile recruits for their efforts in 2024 in a bid to have an improved 2024 season, after not making the play-offs in 2023.

Rohan Smith in into his third season in charge of the Rhinos, having joined during the 2022 season and helping guide the side all the way to the Grand Final at Old Trafford with some remarkable results in the knock-out stages. The Saints put them down on the big stage to secure a fourth straight Super League title, and the aim was go one better for Leeds, but their inconsistency cost them last season.

Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Rohan Smith

Smith has been backed for 2024, big transfers have seen Brodie Croft, Andy Ackers, Mickael Goudemnad, Lachlan Miller, Matt Frawley and Paul Momirovski come through the doors at Headingley.

The style of play that the Rhinos execute can be deadly, but it has to click and saw them blow both hot and cold last season. With more talent added into the ranks to join the likes of Cameron Smith, Harry Newman, and Ash Handley who have become key, home grown talents for the Rhinos.

Leeds Rhinos hooker Andy Ackers

Leeds hold a record of three wins and one loss so far in 2024, and their early season form suggests they will pose a bigger threat in this campaign. A strong spirit was evident last week when from 0-16 down at Leigh Leopards they came back to win 16-22 and get back-to-back wins after beating Catalans Dragons at home.

The home form for Leeds will be crucial for their improvement in 2023, and Saints head to Headingley looking to inflict on them their first home defeat of the season and return to winning ways.

THREE TO WATCH

  • Brodie Croft – one of the big transfers in the off-season, Croft has displayed in his time at Salford his ability to direct and influence a team and he’s shown some early signs that he will do the same for Leeds
  • Cameron Smith – an old-school ball-playing loose forward, he is also the captain and will be one of the leaders for the Rhinos
  • Ash Handley – currently Super League’s top try-scorer who has begun 2024 in flying form, scoring from distance too he will be eager to keep his run going

🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 5 IN SUPER LEAGUE

Thursday

Salford Red Devils 12-22 Wigan Warriors

Saturday

Huddersfield Giants vs Hull KR – 3pm
Hull FC vs Leigh Leopards – 3pm
Catalans Dragons vs Castleford Tigers – 5:30pm

Sunday

London Broncos vs Warrington Wolves – 3pm

Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 5 by clicking here.

🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

Whilst Friday is an away match, the Saints’ will be wearing our 24 Home Kit!

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!

🕯️ REMEMBERING LEWIS JONES

Leeds will be remembering one of their greatest-ever players at Friday’s game, Lewis Jones who sadly passed away last week.

‘The Golden Boy’ played 385 times for Leeds, scoring 144 tries and kicking an incredible 1,244 goals for a total of 2,920 points over a twelve year period of service to the club. On the international stage he was capped 15 times for Great Britain Rugby League, whilst in rugby union he earned 10 caps for Wales, and played 3 times for the British & Irish Lions.

Former teammates of Lewis, Derek Hallas & Alan Smith will lead out the Rhinos with a blue and amber wreath, and our Chairman Eamonn McManus will lead out the Saints with a red and white wreath to represent St.Helens R.F.C. as well as Wales and the British Lions.

Ahead of kick-off there will be a minute’s silence to pay respect to Lewis Jones.

Image from Leeds Rhinos’ website

📲 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.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch it live on Sky Sports Arena, as can SuperLeague+ subscribers – Members can save £30 on an annual SuperLeague+ pass – more details here.

💬 COACH PREVIEW

With the Rhinos showcasing an expansive and entertaining style of rugby, the Saints boss previews a tough opposition on Friday night.

Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!

📊 THE RECORD AGAINST LEEDS

Super League summary

St Helens have won 46 matches against the Rhinos (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.

Last ten meetings

St Helens 22, Leeds 18 (SLR20, 28/7/23)
Leeds, 12, St Helens 13, (SLR13, 26/5/23)
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)

🇹🇴 HURRELL HOPING TO BOUNCE BACK

Following a week out of the team with a one-match ban, Konrad Hurrell is hoping to get back into the squad and play against his former side, at a ground that has proved productive for him in the Red V.

Konrad knows this will be a tough game as the Rhinos look to be in resurgent form this season and come into the game off the back of a win in which they overturned a 16-point deficit against the Leigh Leopards.

Watch the full player preview with Koni on Saints TV!

🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS? 

Jack Smith will be the referee for Friday evening’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Rich Thompson and Cameron Worsley, and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Liam Moore at Rugby League’s new remote refereeing base.

🔢 MILESTONE MEN

Three Saints could be in line to make some career milestones if they play against Leeds on Friday night!

Jonny Lomax’s next match appearance in Super League will mark his 300th top-flight appearance, which is a huge achievement following on from his 300th for the Club last April.

It could be a similar special occasion for Alex Walmsley, his next league game would be the 250th Super League match of his career so far, like Jonny all of which have been with the Saints.

For Joe Batchelor, if he makes his first appearance of the 2024 season on Friday, it would also register as his 150th career match and bring him up to 76 in the Red V. His other club appearances include 54 for York City Knights, 6 for Leigh Centurions on dual-registration, 11 for Coventry Bears, and two big international appearances for England back in 2022.

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