It's a HUGE week for the Saints, with our Women's team in two big matches, both our Academy outfits in action, and the First Team fighting to get back to winning ways.
This Wednesday (31st August 2024), St.Helens R.F.C. is hosting at the Totally Wicked Stadium our first-ever Double Header of Women’s action, with both our Academy and Women’s First Team playing on the same night at the same venue – the home of the Saints!
A big weekend kicks off on Friday night with our Under 18’s Men’s Academy taking on Hull FC, and it is the same opponents on Saturday afternoon for the senior Men’s First Team. Sunday brings the curtain down on a busy week up in Cumbria with our Women’s team taking on their second match inside four days against Barrow.
See the key information for all five matches below.
WEDNESDAY
Women Academy vs Wigan (H)
Our Saints Women Academy will be in Derby Day action as part of our first ever all women’s Double Header at our home stadium. The Red V claimed their first ever victory over the Warriors the last time the two sides met earlier on in the year at Wigan St Jude’s, 0-10.
The Saints Women’s Academy also grabbed a victory over another local rival, 0-74 at Warrington in their first game of the year. Their only other fixture saw them go down 14-26 to Leeds Rhinos at Cowley last time out.
Tom McBride’s team will be out to make an impact as they play on the hallowed home turf of the Totally Wicked Stadium for the very first time.
- Wednesday, 31st August
- Kick-off at 5:15pm
- Totally Wicked Stadium, WA9 3AL
- Saints 2024 Members get entry for FREE
- Match entry prices for non-Members: Adults – £5, Concessions – £3, Under 16’s – £2
Women vs York Valkyrie (H)
Talk about a BIG game as Matty Smith’s St.Helens Women take on the reigning Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie, knowing that a win would move the Red V into pole position in the league table. Both Saints and York are competing at the top of the table with a game in hand – St.Helens are sat in third on 14 points, whilst York are fourth on 12.
Saints’ only defeat of the year so far came against the Valkyrie in the opening game of the league season, a narrow 20-16 away defeat at the Valks’ home ground. Since then, Saints have won all nine of their games in all competitions, which included a triumph in the Challenge Cup Semi-Final over York in Doncaster, which ended 32-2.
Matty Smith makes just one change to his 21-woman squad from last time out against Warrington, as Leah Burke returns in place of Grace Arrowsmith – read more on Smith’s squad by clicking here.
- Wednesday, 31st August
- Kick-off at 7:30pm
- Totally Wicked Stadium, WA9 3AL
- Saints 2024 Members get entry for FREE
- Match entry prices for non-Members: Adults – £5, Concessions – £3, Under 16’s – £2
FRIDAY
Academy vs Hull FC (A)
The Saints Under 18’s have just three matches left in the Academy Championship season and currently sit at the top of the table, level on points with Wigan but with a significantly better points difference.
Derek Traynor’s young Saints are on a five-match winning run, the latest of which was a 28-4 home win over fellow 2023 Academy Grand Finalists Warrington Wolves. The Red V put in a strong first half which was enough to earn the victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium a fortnight ago.
Hull FC are sixth in the table and will be looking to shake off a home defeat to Wigan last time out, as they gear up for the closing stages of the campaign.
- Friday, 2nd August
- Kick-off at 7pm
- Hull YPI, HU5 4EF
- Match entry prices Adults – £5, Concessions – £3
SATURDAY
First Team vs Hull FC (A)
The Saints are going through a tough time with a lot of injuries in the squad, and in some unwanted history, having now suffered five league losses in a row for the first time in the Super League era. However, young players are getting their chance and opportunity to cut their teeth and gain vital top flight experience, such as Noah Stephens, Harry Robertson and Jonny Vaughan.
Tommy Makinson and Matt Whitley made their returns from injury in the last round, with more senior Saints expected in the coming weeks as well.
On Saturday, we’re on the road again and make the trip across the country to go to the MKM Stadium and face Hull FC in Round 20 of Betfred Super League. The aim is to get back to winning ways and move back up the league table, and your support in the stands can give a boost to the team.
- Saturday, 3rd August
- Kick-off at 3pm
- MKM Stadium, Hull, HU3 6HU
- Away match tickets are available online at eticketing.co.uk/saintsrlfc
SUNDAY
Women vs Barrow Raiders Ladies (A)
Our Women’s side are also in action on Sunday, as they travel to Cumbria to face Barrow Raiders, their second league game of an intense week following the Nines Competition over in Hull last Sunday.
It is the first meeting between the two sides in 2024, with the other meeting at the Totally Wicked Stadium a Double Header with the men’s side on Friday, 13th September when the First Team host Castleford Tigers.
The last two the two sides came head to head was in the Challenge Cup back in 2022, a game Saints won 0-68.
Barrow are hosting this Sunday’s fixture as a Double Header of their own, with £5 tickets for entry to their Men’s match against Bradford Bulls in the Betfred Championship including our exciting Women’s meeting!
- Saturday, 4th August
- Kick-off at 12pm
- Northern Competitions Stadium, LA14 5UW
- Tickets are just £5 up to midnight on the day of the game and includes access to watch Barrow Raiders vs Bradford Bulls – click here to buy from Barrow’s ticket website
