A spot in the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter-finals is up for grabs in the second of our back-to-back trips to AMT Headingley Stadium, with St.Helens taking on Leeds Rhinos on Friday, 22nd 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.
General & Matchday Ticket Prices
- Adults – £23 standing – £28 reserved seating
- Concession (65+) – £18 standing – £23 reserved seating
- Juniors (16 and under – £5 for both standing and reserved seating
📰 SQUAD NEWS
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 – to find out more about that click or tap on the image below to read more about our Cup squad news.
Leeds Rhinos’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens
1. Lachie Miller, 3. Harry Newman, 4. Paul Momirovski, 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, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. James McDonnell, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Mickael Goudemand, 21. Jack Sinfield, 24. Luis Roberts, 25. James Donaldson, 29. Alfie Edgell.
📲 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.
The match will be live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Red Button service, and the BBC Sport app and website. Supporters can get tuned into the BBC’s Red Button channel too which is on the following channel numbers:
- Sky – 970
- Virgin Media – 991
- Freeview – 601
🦏 ANOTHER LOOK AT LEEDS…
The Rhinos will be hurting after last week’s defeat to St.Helens, their first on their own home ground in 2024 and a match that in all truth they were controlling for the opening 20-30 minutes and could have posted more points in.
A reminder that 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 is 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 though, and the aim was go one better for Leeds, but their inconsistency cost them last season.
Smith has been backed this season with big transfers; 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.
Newman showed his pace last week and if not for a last ditch effort from Lewis Dodd would have scored a try from distance. Handley’s pace too is remarkable and caught the Red V out on a couple of occasions last Friday.
Leeds hold a record of three wins and two losses so far in the 2024 league campaign, but their early season form suggests they will pose a bigger threat this year. Their star recruits Croft and Ackers both showed their ability last week, Croft with his kicking game in particular, whilst Ackers play around the ruck was notable too.
THREE TO WATCH
- Lachie Miller – the fullback had arguably his best game in the blue and amber strip last week, proving to be very elusive and causing problems for St.Helens, he’ll be fighting to get that finishing touch really firing this time around
- Sam Lisone – the big Samoan international has missed the last three weeks due to a suspension, so he will be undoubtedly be hungry to get back out on the field and make a big impact as one of Leeds’ big props
- 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 and he certainly did in spells last week
🏉 THE REST OF THE CUP DRAW IN THE SIXTH ROUND
Friday
Hull KR vs Salford Red Devils – 8pm
Wigan Warriors vs Sheffield Eagles – 8pm
Saturday
Huddersfield Giants vs Hull FC – 2pm
Leigh Leopards vs Featherstone Rovers – 2pm
Castleford Tigers vs Batley Bulldogs – 3pm
Warrington Wolves vs London Broncos – 5:30pm
Sunday
Halifax Panthers vs Catalans Dragons – 3pm
⚫ WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
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!
💬 COACH PREVIEW
Paul Wellens spoke to the press about the challenge of facing the same opponent in back-t0-back weeks, gives an update on his squad, how Leeds were very good in the opening half hour of the league match, and that we need to be better to not give them such a good opening again this week.
Our Head Coach also pays credit again to the travelling supporters who made the trip on Friday night in horrible conditions under no cover at Headingley.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!
📊 THE RECORD AGAINST LEEDS
Last ten meetings
Leeds 8, St Helens 18 (SLR5, 15/3/24)
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)
Challenge Cup history
St.Helens and Leeds have met 21 times in rugby league’s most historic competition, with the Rhinos just holding the edge with 11 wins in the Challenge Cup whilst the Saints have won 10 of those meetings.
The first time Saints and Leeds met in the Cup was back in 1911 and the two sides have faced off at the showpiece event, the Final itself, in 1972 and 1978 with the Red V winning the ’72 Challenge Cup 13 points to 16 at Wembley.
Previous Challenge Cup meetings
2021 (Round 3) St Helens 26 Leeds 18
2015 (Semi-Final) Leeds 24 St Helens 14 (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
2014 (Round 5) Leeds 32 St Helens 12
2010 (Semi-Final) Leeds 32 St Helens 28 (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
2009 (Round 4) Leeds 18 St Helens 22
2008 (Semi-Final) Leeds 16 St Helens 26 (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
2004 (Round 5) St Helens 24 Leeds 14
2003 (Semi-Final) Leeds 33 St Helens 26 (after extra-time) (at McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield)
2002 (Semi-Final) Leeds 16 St Helens 42 (at JJB Stadium, Wigan)
2001 (Semi-Final) Leeds 22 St Helens 27 (at JJB Stadium, Wigan)
2000 (Round 5) Leeds 26 St Helens 20
1999 (Round 5) Leeds 24 St Helens 16
1994 (Semi-Final) Leeds 20 St Helens 8 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1992 (Round 2) Leeds 12 St Helens 32
1983 (Round 2) Leeds 13 St Helens 23
1978 (FINAL) Leeds 14 St Helens 12 (at Wembley Stadium)
1977 (Semi-Final) Leeds 7 St Helens 2 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1972 (FINAL) Leeds 13 St Helens 16 (at Wembley Stadium)
1971 (Round 2) Leeds 4 St Helens 0
1930 (Round 2) Leeds 5 St Helens 18
1911 (Round 2) St Helens 6 Leeds 11
📺 PLAYER PREVIEW
With the Challenge Cup being a unique competition for us here in England, he spoke about the difference in feeling coming into this game, and how excited he is to be playing in the oldest cup competition in Rugby League!
Waqa picked up his first Saints try last week against the Rhinos, and said he was happy to come away from the game with the 4-pointer, but the two points and a good display are always the most important things in any game.
🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Chris Kendall will be the referee for Friday evening’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Rich Thompson and Mark Craven. There will be no video referee at all fixtures in this round of the Challenge Cup.
⏪ LAST TIME AGAINST LEEDS IN THE CUP
St.Helens and Leeds last met in the Cup in 2021 in a behind closed doors match at the Totally Wicked Stadium due to Covid restrictions, where a brace of tries from Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace set the Red V on course for Wembley glory to lift the famous old trophy for a thirteenth time.
