A Saturday Sizzler awaits as St.Helens take on Hull KR in an exciting Betfred Super League clash this Saturday afternoon at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
😇 RESERVES UP FIRST
Our Reserves sit at the top of the Reserves Championship table by a point and their final match of the regular season sees them take on fifth placed Hull KR at home. A win over the Robins would guarantee Saints Reserves would finish first and likely take on Wigan, Hull FC or Warrington in the Reserves Grand Final.
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.
📰 SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens makes three changes to the squad from the previous round. Saints Captain and half-back Jonny Lomax returns after serving a three-match ban, Sione Mata’utia is available and could feature for the first time since June due to a neck injury, and Saints Academy young half George Whitby is named in the 21 for the very first time!
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round 23 squad news!
Hull KR’s 21-man squad vs St.Helens
Willie Peters names a strong squad with just the one change to the team that secured an impressive win over Catalans Dragons 4-36 at Elland Road last weekend. Oliver Gildart misses out after failing a head injury assessment in that match at Magic WKND, Tom Opacic comes in.
1. Peta Hiku, 2. Niall Evalds, 3. Tom Opacic, 5. Ryan Hall, 7. Mikey Lewis, 8. Sauaso Sue, 9. Jez Litten, 10. George King, 11. Dean Hadley, 12. James Batchelor, 13. Elliot Minchella, 14. Matt Parcell, 15. Sam Luckley, 16. Jai Whitbread, 17. Matty Storton, 20. Kelepi Tanginoa, 27. Tyrone May, 35. Joe Burgess, 36. Jack Broadbent, 37. Jack Brown, 38. Danny Richardson.
🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 23 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Friday
Castleford Tigers vs Warrington Wolves – 8pm
Leeds Rhinos vs Catalans Dragons – 8pm
Saturday
Salford Red Devils vs Huddersfield Giants – 5:30pm
Sunday
London Broncos vs Leigh Leopards – 3pm
Wigan Warriors vs Hull FC – 3pm
Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 23 by clicking here.
💬 COACH PREVIEW
Wellens reflects on the defeat to Wigan at Magic WKND and how we need to improve on some of the efforts from that match if we wish to be successful at the back end of the season.
With injuries continuing to effect his squad, the Red V boss gives the latest on his players including Curtis Sironen, James Bell and Sione Mata’utia.
Speaking about our opponents on Saturday, the Saints boss credited the job Willie Peters has done with the Robins who sit at the top of the Betfred Super League heading into Round 23.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!
✈ LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT CROSSBAR CHALLENGE
On Saturday afternoon Saints 2024 Members at half time of our Super League match will get the chance to win: a pair of SunExpress tickets, and a VIP airport experience which will include complimentary Aspire Premium lounge access, car parking and Fast Track security*!
With the eyes of all the Saints faithful in the West Stand watching, the contesting Members will get three attempts to hit the crossbar from the 20m line – and for this prize, there MUST BE A WINNER! Thanks to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and SunExpress – together they have guaranteed there shall be a winner…
SunExpress are a new airline in Liverpool for 2025 and will operate three weekly flights to the Turkish resort of Antalya, starting in April! Flights can be booked online now by visiting sunexpress.com.
*T&Cs apply: doesn’t include accommodation or in-destination transfers, prize must be redeemed by 30th of March 2025, but travel can be any time from the start of route in April 2025 until 30th of September 2025.
THE RECORD AGAINST THE ROBINS
Super League summary
Saints and KR have met one another in Super League on 35 occasions, drawing just once. The head-to-head score lies firmly in favour of St Helens winning 23 times to Hull KR’s 11 victories.
The highest winning Saints score against the Robins came back in 2010, 68-12 which is also the Saints’ widest winning margin.
Last ten meetings
Hull KR 40, St Helens 20 (SLR10, 4/5/24)
St Helens 28, Hull KR 6 (SLR22, 18/8/23)
Hull KR 26, St Helens 14 (SLR9, 14/4/23)
St Helens 38, Hull KR 12 (SLR24, 19/8/22)
St Helens 26, Hull KR 18 (SLR15, 12/6/22)
Hull KR 8, St Helens 42 (SLR4, 4/3/22)
Hull KR 0, St Helens 25 (SLR2, 1/4/21) (at Totally Wicked Stadium)
St Helens 21, Hull KR 20 (aet) (SLR12, 11/9/20)
Hull KR 18, St Helens 32 (SLR10, 30/8/20) (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
Hull KR 26, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 5/5/19)
🎸 LAURENCE JONES – LIVE!
Saints fans may remember Laurence Jones from previous performances at our stadium, as the multi-award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter is a huge fan of the Red V!
This summer he has been supporting legendary rock band Status Quo on the UK tour! Don’t miss Laurence Jones live on Saturday afternoon!
You will be able to enjoy his set when he takes to the Saints’ performance platform in the West Stand ahead of the big match from 2:30pm.
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!
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 go to the North Stand concourse and get accurately 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.
🛍 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…
🍻 THE REDV BAR – HAPPY HOUR!
Come and enjoy the early pre-match atmosphere with HAPPY HOUR at The RedV Bar offering incredible offers and discounts on both soft and alcoholic drinks from 12pm until 1pm, plus we will have DJ Alex Simm playing terrific tunes to get you in the mood for the games!
PLUS Saints fans can meet Curtis Sironen & Jake Wingfield in The RedV Bar from 12:40pm until just after 1pm!
Pint prices for Happy Hour (12-1pm) in The RedV Bar:
- Carling, Saints Red V Smooth & Stowford Press – £3.50
- Madri & Guinness – £4.00
- Pepsi Max – £2.00
WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Chris Kendall will be the Referee for Saturday afternoon’s 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 based at Rugby League’s remote refereeing base.
🥤 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!
🍦 JJ’S ICES AT THE SAINTS
Local TikTok superstar JJ’s Ices will be serving his incredible ice cream creations just outside the stadium in the shadow of our Kieron Cunningham statue!
On Good Friday, a huge queue of supporters lined up to get themselves a tasty treat on gameday, and we’re thrilled to welcome JJ’s Ices to our home ground once again.
🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
The Saints’ 24 Home Kit will be worn on Saturday against the Robins!
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!
🤳 MEET THE SAINTS ON THE CONCOURSE
Throughout the 2024 season, our First Team players have been meeting our wonderful supporters on matchdays around the ground, and on Saturday our supporters will get the chance once again to meet the Saints face-to-face!
We encourage fans to be around the concourses from 2:15pm, the non-playing players will start in the South-East corner before walking over to the Totally Wicked Stadium, then to the popular West Stand and concluding in the South-West corner.
🎵 INDOOR SHOES – LIVE!
Live in the heart of the West Stand on the Saints’ performance platform before kick-off of the First Team match you will be treated to Indoor Shoes, a local indie/alternative quartet who are making a name for themselves in the North West!
Catch Indoor Shoes’ performance LIVE from 1:50pm!
🔎 A LOOK AT HULL KR…
The Robins have been building themselves into a silverware challenging side over the last few years, and expectations have been raised in East Hull to do so in 2024. Right now, it’s looking good for them, sat at the top of the league table and on a six-match winning run as we approach the run-in.
Under Willie Peters the Robins have kicked on from the signs of promise under previous boss Tony Smith to be real contenders. In 2023, Hull KR finished fourth in the league and earned their way to a first Challenge Cup Final since 2015, they ran Leigh Leopards to the death before falling to a golden point drop goal. On the whole, it was an impressive campaign for KR, but they’re looking to get silverware.
Their recruitment drive for this season has seen Tyrone May, Peta Hiku, Niall Evalds, Joe Burgess, Oliver Gildart, Jai Whitbread and Kelepi Tanginoa. Mid-season recruitment has also seen Jack Broadbent and former Saint Danny Richardson join a side that already had some strong talent, none more so than the dynamic Mikey Lewis. Their star halfback put pen to paper on an extension until the end of 2028 in the off-season, showing full commitment to their longer term project.
Evalds and Hiku alongside Lewis have been key performers, although they have switched roles with Evalds now at fullback and Hiku on an edge in the centres. May has fit in like a glove into the KR system, looking very much at home and showing an impressive kicking game, something Robins fans may have feared may be missing following the late loan move out of the club for Jordan Abdull to the Dragons.
In big matches in 2024 the Robins have shown their ability, and we don’t need reminding either after our visit to Sewell Group Craven Park in May saw St.Helens fall to a 40-20 defeat in hostile territory.
Saints will be out to get one back over the East Hull side, despite being significantly down on senior troops, and for even more motivation for both sides; Hull KR have not won away at St.Helens since 2013 – a run we want to keep going, but the Robins want to end.
THREE TO WATCH
- Kelepi Tanginoa – the forward has a new lease of life in Hull since joining from Wakefield and has been putting in big shifts with plenty of big tackles and tackles breaks too
- Niall Evalds – the former Castleford and Salford man has shown his class for the Robins so far, creating and scoring tries, and the switch back to his preferred fullback position has seen him shine
- Mikey Lewis – undoubtedly ones of Super League’s brightest stars, if he plays well, the Robins team plays well, he has a strong running game combined with a smart kicking selection too
🗣 LEES ON CAPTAINCY HONOUR, AND TAKING ON KR
Our prop forward lead out St.Helens for the first time as Captain at Magic WKND and it was a bittersweet occasion.
Saints take on the league leaders Hull KR heading into Round 23, and Matty talks about their facing their forward threats.
🦺 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.
