St.Helens Head Coach Paul Wellens has named his 21-man squad for this Friday’s Sixth Round match in the Betfred Challenge Cup. The Saints take on Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
The Saints return to West Yorkshire for the second time in seven days after visiting Leeds last Friday night in league action, and getting a comeback victory. The Rhinos led 0-8 but an improved performance in the second half secured St.Helens the win, 8-18.
It’s a new competition this week though, with the winning side progressing to the next stage of the Challenge Cup and the hope of reaching Wembley for the final moves ever closer. The winner will move to the competition’s quarter-finals, with the ties in that round to be played on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of April.
Rohan Smith’s Leeds outfit will be itching to get one back over the Red V after their first home loss of the season, and with the Cup draw giving them the home advantage the Saints know Friday’s fixture will be another tough encounter.
WATCH: Coach Preview on Saints TV
Paul Wellens welcomes back to his squad selection back-rower Curtis Sironen who was stood down last week due to a back spasm, but he has trained this week and the signs have been positive.
However, the Saints will be without winger Tommy Makinson who was a very late withdrawal from last week’s starting squad, just minutes before kick-off, and he was replaced by George Delaney, leading a reshuffle of our lineup. Wellens discussed Makinson’s injury during his pre-match press conference and said the Saints’ #2 had been sent for further investigations on a hamstring and lower back issue.
Over 1,400 Saints supporters filled out the rain-soaked Western Terrace in Leeds and cheered the team to victory last Friday, and over 850 have already secured their tickets for this week’s return to Headingley! It should be another enthralling night, but this time with the added excitement of knockout rugby league.
Join over 850 of the Saints faithful with your away match ticket for this game! Full details HERE!
St.Helens’ 21-man squad vs Leeds Rhinos
1. Jack Welsby, 3. Waqa Blake, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 12. Joe Batchelor, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Moses Mbye, 15. James Bell, 16. Curtis Sironen, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. Matt Whitley, 20. George Delaney, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 25. Tee Ritson.
⚫ SAINTS IN THE AWAY KIT 🔴
St.Helens will be wearing for the very first time in competitive match action the brand-new 24 Away Kit!
Our colours for the road this year are a striking black and red combo, a modern and exciting colour clash that delivers a memorable design. The shirt is predominantly a deep black with a tonal grey pixel design to the front and back, as well as a red pixelated Chevron design to the sides of the torso.
Get your 24 Away Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
🎟 NEXT UP AT HOME, A GOOD FRIDAY HOME SELL-OUT… SO DON’T MISS THE SAINTS HOSTING HULL FC!
