Match Preview: The Capital Challenge 2025

Ahead of our young St.Helens team taking on the British Army Rugby League in London on Wednesday, 29th January, here's all the key information you need to know!

❓ WHAT IS THE CAPITAL CHALLENGE?

The Capital Challenge is a military engagement and charity event which will celebrate; rugby league’s connections to the Army, and rugby league’s history in the South, particularly in London. On the day of the event there are two matches that will be played:

  • The Royal Artillery versus The Infantry – The 1925 Cup – 12pm KO
  • British Army 1st XIII versus St.Helens – The Capital Challenge – 2pm KO

Following both fixtures, there will be a formal Charity Dinner which will be raising money for two charitable causes; the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

📍 VENUE & ENTRY DETAILS

The matches and the Charity Dinner will be taking place at the prestigious and historic Honourable Artillery Company in London.

Entry to watch both matches will be FREE – however the formal Charity Dinner is strictly a ticket only occasion.

Address

Honourable Artillery Company
Armoury House
City Road
London
EC1Y 2BQ

📰 SQUAD NEWS

St.Helens Reserves Head Coach Ian Talbot announced a 19-man squad that will be taking on The British Army Rugby League Team.

Talbot has included five of our younger First Team men in his squad that will travel down to London; Leon Cowen, Jake Davies, Cole Marsh, Ciaran Nolan and Alfie Sinclair. They join our Reserves and Academy players for this exciting fixture.

📺 THE ARMY VISIT SAINTS

Head Coach Cpl Leigh Paul-Rientoul and captain of the team Spr Michael McDonald came to the home of the Saints for a photo call alongside our Reserves Head Coach Ian Talbot, player Harvey Braddish, and our Club’s Leadership, Performance & Culture Coach James Roby.

All five men spoke to Saints TV to discuss the importance of The Capital Challenge.

🤗 HELPING TWO GREAT CAUSES

This event will be raising money for two charitable causes; the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.

The RBL is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity and supports serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. The MND Association is a charity very close to the rugby league community’s heart with the heroic fundraising and awareness efforts of Rob Burrow, and the MNDA funds research, care improvement, and support for people with MND and their families.

📲 FOLLOW THE GAME WITH SAINTS

There will be no live stream broadcast of this fixture, however fans not in attendance will be updated via St.Helens’ social media accounts, ensuring supporters will be kept up to date of every key moment, so make sure you are following us!

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🗣️ MATCH OFFICIALS

Tara Jones will be the Referee for Wednesday afternoon’s game, and she will be supported by Touch Judges S. Shea and another yet to be confirmed official.

There will be no video referee for this fixture.

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