Two matches, two games against Leeds Rhinos for St.Helens on Friday night at the Totally Wicked Stadium, with our Women kicking off proceedings at 5:30pm, followed by the First Team at 8pm.
Turnstiles for our Double Header will open at 5pm, so why not get down to the ground early and make the most of your evening!
Please note that both our Stadium Ticket Office and Superstore will both close at 7:45pm on matchday, with queues managed from 7:30pm onwards to ensure closure is on time. Further details can be viewed further down on this page, or by clicking here.
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.
ℹ STORE & TICKET OFFICE UPDATE
Our Stadium Ticket Office and Superstore will both close at 7:45pm on Friday night, with queues managed from 7:30pm onwards. This is to ensure that our staff can participate in a pre-match tribute to our beloved staff member Christine Hesketh who has sadly passed away and you can read the Club’s announcement, and the Chairman’s condolences by clicking here.
Match entry will still be permitted via contactless payment at the turnstiles on the West and East Stands at the Totally Wicked Stadium up until kick-off. Whilst the Stadium’s Ticket Collection Point which is next to the Ticket Office will remain open until kick-off.
📰 SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens & Matty Smith have announced their Saints squads ahead of Friday night, and we start by taking a look at our Women’s side.
Smith names an unchanged lineup that got an impressive 32-2 victory in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final over York Valkyrie!
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our WSL Round Four squad news.
Leeds Rhinos Women’s Head Coach Lois Forsell will be without fullback Ruby Enright following an ankle knock, and former Saint Shona Hoyle misses out due to a fracture in her finger. Orla Mcallion and Tilly-Jae Brown step in for the Rhinos.
SQUAD NEWS | @LoisForsell has named her team for tomorrow’s game against @saints1890women
More: https://t.co/LjwNNnBdCj#LeedsRhinosWRL pic.twitter.com/5HFMqVlMG4
— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) May 23, 2024
Onto the Men’s squads now and Paul Wellens makes two changes to his squad that was announced for the big win over Castleford. Jake Wingfield misses out after having shoulder surgery which will keep him out for 16 weeks, and Tee Ritson is the other player making way.
Agnatius (Iggy) Paasi is named for the first time in the 21-man squad in 2024! The Tongan prop suffered a horrific injury last year, but 10 months on and having featured for our Reserves in a win over Castleford this past weekend – ‘Iggy’ could make his Super League return.
Academy product Jonny Vaughan is also named in the 21-man squad for the first time since joining the First Team for this season.
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round Twelve squad news.
Rohan Smith welcomes back key men with halfback Brodie Croft and Harry Newman following injury concerns, and loan signing from Warrington, Matty Russell could make his debut on the wing.
Brodie Croft and Harry Newman return for the Rhinos squad this Friday with Matty Russell set to make his debut after joining on loan
More here https://t.co/XHvEb7kCRK
🤝 In partnership with @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/cw95WK8KF8— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) May 22, 2024
🎸LIVE MUSIC
Blank Polaroid will be performing live pre-match of the men’s fixture. They are a Liverpool based Indie Rock band consisting of Cam Spratley (bassist), James Barker (drummer), Kieron Kumar (guitarist) and Ryan Jackson (vocalist) who was born and bred in St Helens. The band will hopefully be releasing new music in summer and are making a big name for themselves in the North Western music scene. This is their first and hopefully many more appearances in St Helens so make sure to follow @blankpolaroid_band to see where their journey goes.
🏉 THE REST OF THIS WEEKEND’S ACTION
Friday
Castleford Tigers vs Hull FC – 8pm
Huddersfield Giants vs Leigh Leopards – 8pm
Saturday
Warrington Wolves Women vs Wigan Warriors Women – 1pm
Catalans Dragons vs Warrington Wolves – 5:30pm
Sunday
Barrow Raiders Ladies vs Featherstone Rovers Women – 12pm
Huddersfield Giants Women vs York Valkyrie – 2pm
London Broncos vs Hull KR – 3pm
Salford Red Devils vs Wigan Warriors – 3pm
Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 12 by clicking here, and how the Women’s Super League table shapes up before Round 4 by clicking here.
🛍 MAY’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the many benefits for our 2024 Members is a special monthly offer with the Saints Superstore!
Throughout May, we will be offering 10% off our popular 24 Core Range.
The Saints Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium will be open from 9am until 7:45pm on Friday for game day.
More details and how you can claim your Members offer online can be found by clicking the image below.
📊 THE RECORD AGAINST THE RHINOS
Super League summary – First Team
St Helens have won 47 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 – First Team
Leeds 6, St Helens 20 (CCR6, 22/3/24)
Leeds 8, St Helens 18 (SLR5, 15/3/24)
St Helens 22, Leeds 18 (SLR20, 28/7/23)
Leeds 12, St Helens 13 (aet) (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)
Last ten meetings – Women’s Team
St Helens 16, Leeds 20 (aet) (SLG1-SF, 23/9/23)
St Helens 22, Leeds 34 (SLG1, 3/9/23)
Leeds 8, St Helens 22 (CCF, 12/8/23) (at Wembley Stadium)
Leeds 18, St Helens 38 (SLG1, 26/5/23)
St Helens 6, Leeds 14 (SLG1-SF, 4/9/22) (at Headingley)
Leeds 22, St Helens 30 (SLG1, 7/8/22)
St Helens 18, Leeds 20 (SLG1, 23/6/22)
Leeds 8, St Helens 18 (CCF, 7/5/22) (at Elland Road, Leeds)
Leeds 0, St Helens 28 (SLGF, 10/10/21) (at Emerald Headingley)
Leeds 12, St Helens 20 (CCSF, 22/5/21) (at LNER Community Stadium, York)
🦺 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.
💬 COACHES PREVIEWS
Paul Wellens has been pleased with the prep the team have put in to get ready for this upcoming game, knowing how Rhinos have shown themselves to be quite a tricky outfit with some off-the-cuff play, attempts at short kick-offs, and plenty of pace in their outside backs to pose a difficult threat.
Matty Smith reflected on the Semi-Final win and looks at the threats that Leeds have in their ranks, especially with their young players who are developing strongly. With the Saints just under three weeks away from taking on Leeds on the big stage, Smith talks about this league game being just as important.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Previews!
🥤 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!
😇 HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME?
Saints will be covering the First Team 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 (Main Event & Action) or on around the globe on SuperLeague+.
Our Women’s social media accounts will have all the coverage of our Women’s game against Leeds. X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.
The Club’s social media accounts will also keep supporters updated on the First Team fuxture agianst. Follow us on: X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers.
🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
Both our Men & Women will be wearing our 24 Home Kit against Leeds Rhinos.
Our traditional white shirt with a Red Vee is a sharper, modern look in 2024, with watermark shard designs whilst the ‘V’ itself is a subtle two-tone design, a feature never before seen on a St.Helens shirt.
You can see centres Erin Stott and Mark Percival in action wearing our 24 Home Kit below!
Get your 24 Home Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
😤 BATCH ON ‘GETTING BETTER’
The Red V’s number #12 reflects on an impressive performance over Castleford last time out, talks about this being our third meeting against the Rhinos in 2024, and his own form, insisting he is improving and was at his happiest so far this season in the win at The Jungle.
Watch the full player preview with Batch on Saints TV!
🛫 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 anywhere on the Wizz Air network from Liverpool*!
Wizz Air fly to several destinations throughout Eastern Europe direct from Liverpool, including; Poland, Hungary and Romania, book at 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.
🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Liam Moore will be the Referee for Friday night’s First Team fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Mark Craven and Warren Turley and as with all Men’s Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Tom Grant at Rugby League’s new remote refereeing base.
⚡ HOOK ON TOUGH TEST AGAINST FELLOW CUP FINALISTS
Speedy Saint Phoebe Hook reflects on her two-try performance against York Valkyrie in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final last weekend, looks back on on her first year in rugby league, and talks about how much she is enjoying playing alongside her current group of team-mates in the Red V!
Watch the full player preview with Pheebs on Saints TV!
🦏 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.
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.
The Loiners are currently sat in 7th spot in the league table with a record of six wins and five losses and just points off the play-off places. Having a week off last week will have come at a good time for Leeds after losing 26-0 away at Catalans, so it will have been a good time to re-evaluate as they look for a stronger, more consistent second half of the season.
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 signs that he will do the same for Leeds – he also returns to the 21-man squad following an injury concern
- Lachie Miller – the fullback has proved to be very elusive and tough to tackle at times, causing problems, he’ll be fighting to get that finishing touch firing
- Cameron Smith – an old-school ball-playing loose forward, he is also the captain and will be one of the leaders for the Rhinos
