Match Preview: Salford Red Devils (H)

 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.

🦺 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.

SQUAD NEWS

Paul Wellens has two changes to the squad he declared for last Saturday’s win over the Black & Whites. Mark Percival is back available for selection after serving his one-match penalty notice he was issued following the match against Leigh Leopards.

It is a big boost to the Red V to have Alex Walmsley also return to the 21-man selection following a knee injury which required surgery.

Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round 21 squad news!

Salford Red Devils’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens

Paul Rowley has been forced to have only change to the squad he named for their win over Leeds Rhinos last Saturday, with Tim Lafai unavailable due to a one-match ban for a Grade C ‘Head Contact’ charge by the Match Review Panel.

1. Ryan Brierley, 2. Ethan Ryan, 3. Nene MacDonald, 5. Deon Cross, 6. Cade Cust, 7. Marc Sneyd, 8. Brad Singleton, 9. Amir Borough, 11. Sam Stone, 12 Kallum Watkins, 13. Oliver Partington, 14. Chris Atkin, 15. Shane Wright, 16. Joe Shorrocks, 23. Chris Hankinson, 24. Joe Mellor, 27. Gil Dudson, 28. Harvey Wilson, 29. Loghan Lewis, 31. Joe Bullock, 32. Jayden Nikorima.

❤️ HEALTH CHECK-UP

In partnership with St Helens Borough Council’s Public Health Team, St Helens’ Wellbeing Team and the Saints Community Development Foundation, the Club are having offering free health checks on match days!

Supporters can get accurately get measured their:

• BMI (Body Mass Index)
• blood pressure
• an audit C (alcohol consumption)
• and physical activity status

The SCDF have been trained by St Helens Wellbeing to carry out these checks, and if anyone wishes to have more support following their health checks then our staff can pass on your information to St Helens Wellebeing who provide a plethora of support and services.

📲 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 in the UK can tune in and watch the match live on Sky Sports +, and our supporters around the globe can also watch live on SuperLeague+. UK SL+ subscribers can watch the game on demand later as this is one of Sky’s featured matches of the round.

Our club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated, so make sure you follow us on: X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers too, alongside a whole archive of exclusive club content!

✍ SUPERSTORE SIGNING

Meet Sione Mata’utia & George Delaney= in the Saints Superstore on gameday!

Cee & George will be in our stadium store from 6:45pm through to 7:15pm to say hello, have a photo and sign their autographs for you!

You will find the Saints Superstore on the outside of the South Stand at the Totally Wicked Stadium, tucked between the RedV Bar and the Stadium Ticket Office.

🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 21 IN SUPER LEAGUE

Friday

Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons – 8pm
Hull KR vs Castleford Tigers – 8pm

Saturday

Leeds Rhinos vs Wigan Warriors – 3pm

Sunday

Leigh Leopards vs Hull FC – 3pm
London Broncos vs Warrington Wolves – 3pm

Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 21 by clicking here.

🔙 BATCH IS BACK

Joe returned to the team in last weeks victory away from home in Hull, playing limited minutes in the second half as he looks to return to full fitness for the back end of the season.

He said that he’s looking forward to the challenge that Salford will bring with their off the cuff style, and knows we cant look past them if we are to continue improving from last week.

With a few players returning to the side in recent weeks, Joe said that he knows every game is important for us now and we need to win as many games as possible to climb back up the table for the end of the season.

Watch the full player preview with Batch on Saints TV!

📊 THE RECORD AGAINST SALFORD

Super League summary

The Saints dominate the head-to-head between the two clubs in the top-flight competition. St Helens have played Salford in Super League on 59 occasions, with the Red V winning 48 times (including the 2019 Grand Final victory, and the 2022 semi-final.)

Our highest score over Salford came in 2001 when we beat the Red Devils by 66 points to 16, whilst our widest margin over them was set in 2000 away, winning 58-4.

Last ten meetings

Salford 20, St Helens 18 (SLR15, 23/6/24)
St Helens 20, Salford 24 (SLR4, 8/3/24)
Salford 15, St Helens 18 (SLR21, 6/8/23)
St Helens 26, Salford 12 (SLR12, 13/5/23)
St Helens 19, Salford 12 (SLSF, 17/9/22)
Salford 44, St Helens 12 (SLR21, 31/7/22)
St Helens 14, Salford 10 (SLR11, 29/4/22)
Salford 26, St Helens 14 (SLR25, 17/9/21)
St Helens 28, Salford 0 (SLR6, 17/5/21)
St Helens 29, Salford 6 (SLR1, 26/3/21) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)

🥤 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!

🛫 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 Dublin thanks to Aer Lingus*, plus a VIP airport package which includes parking, Fast Track Security and access to the airport lounge!

For a perfect short break or even a day trip, make the short hop across the Irish sea when you fly when you fly from Liverpool to Dublin with Aer Lingus.

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.

🛍 AUGUST’S MEMBERS’ OFFER

One of the many benefits for our 2024 Members is a special monthly offer with the Saints Superstore!

Summer has started but the return to School will be here in the coming weeks. 2024 Members can take advantage of 10% off a selected group of items that would be perfect for any child returning to school this September!

For more information click on the image below…

💬 COACH PREVIEW

Wellens spoke to the assembled media about the return of Alex Walmsley – who has been diligent and professional with his rehab from injury and surgery to where the towering prop is available for selection.

Paul Wellens talks about the opposition and how the two times we have faced Salford, the Red Devils have managed to get the win in a tight and narrow contest. The Red V boss credits their improvement to compete consistently in tight battles.

Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!

😈 A LOOK AT SALFORD…

2024 has been a busy season for the Red Devils and we’re only halfway through it. The off-season saw Brodie Croft and Andy Ackers both join Leeds Rhinos, two key men in the Red Devils spine and who have become stars as part of Salford’s set up.

Last season saw their squad stretched a little bit thin, with injuries hampering their form too and a push for the play-off spots saw them take the season down to the final round but narrowly missing out on the post-regular-season mix – the aim will be to back in that Old Trafford hunt in 2024.

Former Saint Matty Foster is one of their new recruits as he looks to kick on and get more consistent game time, whilst pick ups such as Nene Macdonald, Cade Cust and Joe Mellor are good pickups for the Greater Manchester outfit. However, they have also added mid-season the likes of Loghan Lewis from Canberra Radiers, and following his release from Catalans Jayden Nikorima.

The spirit that they have shown not only this season but in recent years continues to makes them tough opposition, and their style under Rowley is entertaining to watch too – so much much so that Hull FC made a play for him to join the Black & Whites after parting ways with Tony Smith.

Salford have firmly established themselves in the top six hunt for play-offs rugby. Heading into this week’s action our visitors on Thursday hold thirteen wins and seven losses to their record and sit in fourth place going into round 21. Two of those wins came over Saints, firstly in March to end a 44 year wait to win away at St.Helens, secondly at home in June at the Salford Community Stadium just edging a victory.

Winning their last two games, the Red Devils staved off the fight of the Rhinos who are looking to get back into the play-offs hunt, with a win at home last Saturday evening. The week before, also at home, Salford just beat out a spirited effort against Castleford.

So they are now on a small winning run, and would love to do a treble over Saints who are hungry to also build a winning run of their own after a tough period with injuries and results during July.

THREE TO WATCH

• Marc Sneyd – Sneyd continues to prove himself a massively key player and possesses one of the best kicking boots in the game
• Kallum Watkins – their captain has revitalised himself since going back to the club where his RL journey began, a workhorse at back-row or centre, he’s reliable and rarely lets the team down
• Ryan Brierley – the fullback, now vice-captain of his hometown club, is often vital to the Salford attack

🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

The Saints’ 24 Home Kit will be worn on Thursday night against the Red Devils!

Our traditional white shirt with a Red Vee is a sharper, modern look, with watermark shard designs whilst the ‘V’ itself is a subtle two-tone design, a feature never before seen on a St.Helens shirt.

Get your 24 Home Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!

 WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS? 

Chris Kendall will be the Referee for Thursday night’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Warren turleyand Ryan Cox, and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Jack Smith based at Rugby League’s remote refereeing base.