St.Helens welcome Huddersfield Giants on Thursday, 25th April to start Round 9 of Betfred Super League 2024, and kick-off at the Totally Wicked Stadium is scheduled for 8pm.
*Update – 12:10pm on Thursday, 25th April 2024
Please note the Academy curtain raiser has now been postponed and the turnstiles will open at 6:30pm.
đď¸Â 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 âPrint at Homeâ 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.
đ°Â SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens makes just one change to the First Team Saints squad he announced for last Friday’s professional 58-0 win over Hull FC, with Lewis Dodd stepping out of the squad and Tee Ritson coming in.
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round Nine squad news.
Huddersfield Giants’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens
1. Jake Connor, 2. Adam Swift, 3. Esan Marsters, 4. Kevin Naiqama, 5. Jake Bibby, 6. Tui Lolohea, 7. Adam Clune, 9. Adam Milner, 10. Joe Greenwood, 13. Luke Yates, 14. Ashton Golding, 15. Matty English, 16. Harry Rushton, 17. Olly Wilson, 18. Seb Ikahihifo, 20. Elliot Wallis, 21. Leroy Cudjoe, 23. Olly Russell, 24. Sam Halsall, 26. Hugo Salabio, 29. Jack Billington.
đŤÂ LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT: CROSSBAR CHALLENGEÂ
One lucky Saints 2024 Member at half time on Friday will get the chance to win x2 return flights to Guernsey thanks to Aurigny*!
Earlier this month, Aurigny commenced their flights from Liverpool to Guernsey. Escape for some island life and book your flights at 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 Merseysideâs airport! *T&Câs apply.
đ THE REST OF ROUND 9 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Friday
Castleford Tigers vs London Broncos – 8pm
Hull KR vs Wigan Warriors – 8pm
Leigh Leopards vs Catalans Dragons – 8pm
Saturday
Salford Red Devils vs Warrington Wolves – 3pm
Sunday
Hull FC vs Leeds Rhinos – 3pm
Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 9 by clicking here.
đ THE RECORD AGAINST GIANTS
Super League summary
St Helens and Huddersfield have faced one another in Super League on 61 occasions, drawing just once. The head-to-head score weighs heavily in favour of the Saints with 46 wins whilst the Giant hold 13 wins to their name.
The highest winning Saints score against Huddersfield came back in 1998, 68-18, but the widest winning margin was back in 2018 by 66-4.
Saints currently have an eight match winning record away at Huddersfield, including the 2020 fixture which was played at Headingley during the Covid pandemic.
Last ten meetings
Huddersfield 0, St Helens 28 (SLR2, 24/02/24)
St Helens 32, Huddersfield 18 (SLR1, 13/8/23)
St Helens 48, Huddersfield 6 (SLR14, 4/6/23)
Huddersfield 12, St Helens 14 (SLR6, 23/3/23)
St Helens 25, Huddersfield 0 (SLR19, 15/7/22)
Huddersfield 12, St Helens 24 (SLR9, 18/4/22)
St Helens 23, Huddersfield 18 (CCQF, 7/5/21) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
Huddersfield 10, St Helens 18 (SLR4, 22/4/21)
Huddersfield 6, St Helens 54 (SLR11, 4/9/20) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)
St Helens 10, Huddersfield 12 (SLR6, 6/3/20)
đŹ COACH PREVIEW
After bouncing back following the exit from the Challenge Cup with a professional and dominant performance over Hull FC last Friday, the Saints will face a tough task against an in-form Huddersfield side.
The Red V boss talks about how good of a side the Giants are, with a number of star players performing well and finding their own personal best form too. Wellens also issues updates on Lewis Dodd, who misses out the 21-man squad this week, and Daryl Clark who is expected to feature on Thursday.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!
đĽ¤Â 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? đ
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!
đ APRIL’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the many benefits for our 2024 Members is a special monthly offer with the Saints Superstore!
This month’s offer allows you to access 10% off all Training Accessories such as Headguards, Balls, Bottles and Bags.
The Saints Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium will be open from 12:30pm on Sunday for game day.
đ PLAYER PREVIEW
Saints TV caught up with Curtis Sironen ahead of this upcoming fixture and briefly reflected on last week’s win over Hull FC, stating he was most pleased with keeping them to zero points scored. The towering back-rower was sporting a bandage on his elbow in that Hull game, he gave an update on his fitness and said heâs feeling good and is just looking to get more game time.
Watch the full player preview with Siro on Saints TV!
𦺠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 clubsâ 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 âsnifferâ 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.
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.
Fans can tune in and watch the match live on Sky Sports (Action) or on around the globe on SuperLeague+.
Our club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated. Follow us on: X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers.
đť WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
The Saintsâ 24 Home Kit will be worn on Thursday night against Huddersfield Giants!
Our traditional white shirt with a Red Vee is a sharper, modern look, with watermark shard designs whilst the âVâ itself is a subtle two-tone design, a feature never before seen on a St.Helens shirt. Take a look at ‘Super’ Jack Welsby in action wearing our 24 Home Kit below!
Get your 24 Home Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
đ LET’S HAVE A LOOK AT HUDDERSFIELD
Huddersfield failed to live up to expectation in 2023, after a strong season in 2022 that saw them make the Challenge Cup Final they strengthened their team and even Chairman Ken Davy was quoted as saying: âIt is undoubtedly the strongest squad Iâve seen during my time at the club.â
Ian Watsonâs side finished ninth and missed out on the play-offs by six points. The Giants Head Coach has had another strong recruitment window in prep for 2024, with an aim of getting back into the top six mix.
Watson has been backed heavily since coming through the door at Huddersfield in 2021, and 2024 sees even more recruits join his ranks. The most notable are NRL stars Adam Clune from Newcastle Knights, and Jack Murchie from Parramatta Eels, alongside strong pick ups from Hull FC with Adam Swift and Andre Savelio.
The Giants already had quality across their squad with Jake Connor being one of the leagueâs best on his day, veteran prop Chris Hill still strongly performing, Luke Yates leading the pack at loose-forward, and some young talent looking to estbalish themselves such as Sam Halsall, Connor Carr and Kieran Rush.
Consistency will be key for Giants, itâs an area of improvement from last season if they are to get to the heights that their squad recruitment of recent years has teased. Mid-season form could prove crucial as in March and April they are on the road six out of seven times, with a series of home matches will follow in May. And it’s looking like the Giants are being consistent as they come to our house this Thursday.
The Giants are currently on a five-match winning run across the league and Challenge Cup, and in the last fortnight they have secured their biggest wins of the season to date. Two weeks ago the West Yorkshire outfit comfortably beat Catalans Dragons in the South of France to go into the Semi-Finals of the Cup, and then just last week they came from 12 points behind, twice, to beat Leeds Rhinos at Headingley.
THREE TO WATCH
- Jake Connor â he appears to be back in his career best form, creating tries and making his team tick like he did at Hull FC
- Adam Swift â the speedy winger has proven himself to be one of the best finishers in the Super League and once again is hitting his straps
- Adam Clune â the former Newscastle Knights NRL play-maker is grasping control of the attack very well for the Giants and continues to look to make an impact on these shores
đŁď¸ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?Â
Liam Moore will be the Referee for Friday nightâs fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Gareth Jones and Warren Turley and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Ben Thaler at Rugby League’s new remote refereeing base.
