Match Preview: Catalans Dragons (H)

😇 ACADEMY UP FIRST

Thursday night is a double dose of rugby league action with our Academy taking on Hull FC in Round 5 of the 2025 Academy Championship.

Come and see our developing talents, cheer them on and see some potential future First Team Saints. Our youngsters won their last match against Castleford, 34-0, putting on a remarkable defensive performance, and are looking to make it three wins in a row following victories over Wigan away and the Tigers at home.

Turnstiles at the ground will open at 4:45pm, with the Saints Academy vs Hull FC Academy kicking off at 5:15pm – don’t miss it!

 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

Head Coach Paul Wellens makes just one change to the last squad he declared for Magic Weekend, with outside back Dayon Sambou stepping out of the team and hooker Jake Burns returning to the 21-man squad.

Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round 11 squad news.

Following the Dragons exit from the Challenge Cup at the Semi-Final stage last Saturday against Hull KR, Steve McNamara has named a 20-man squad with former Saint Tommy Makinson sadly missing his return to his former home ground due to injury.

Captain Ben Garcia and Julian Bousquet are also injured and ruled out, and Elliott Whitehead is suspended.

Arthur Romano and Clément Martin are back in the Catalans team, and there is a call-up for Giovanni Descalzi from the French side’s Reserves outfit and could make his senior bow for Catalans on Thursday night.

Catalans 21-man squad vs St.Helens

3. Arthur Romano, 4. Remis Smith, 5. Nick Cotric, 6. Luke Keary, 8. Tevita Pangai, 11. Tariq Sims, 13. Oliver Partington, 14. Alrix Da Costa, 15. Chris Satae, 16. Romain Navarrete, 17. Bayley Sironen, 18. Cesar Rouge, 19. Paul Seguier, 20. Jordan Dezaria, 21. Theo Fages, 22. Fouad Yaha, 23. Matthieu Laguerre, 26. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 28. Clement Martin, 30. Giovanni Descalzi-Ganthier

💬 COACH PREVIEW

Wellens knows to expect a tough, physical battle against the Dragons on Thursday, with whom we’ve built quite a rivalry in recent seasons. Catalans are coming into this game following the disappointment of exiting the Challenge Cup themselves on Saturday, so will be out to make a big response.

Saints TV subscribers can watch Wello’s full Coach Preview!

🛫 LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT: CROSSBAR CHALLENGE 

One lucky Saints 2025 Member at half time on Thursday will get the chance to win a pair of return  flights return flights to one of easyJet’s new-for summer destinations – so you could be going to Split, Marrakesh, Malta, Fuerteventura, Berlin, Prague, Sharm El Sheikh or Derry!

easyJet are flying to 32 routes across Europe and North Africa this summer from Liverpool John Lennon Airport!

Flights can be booked at easyjet.com, package holidays (flights, hotel, transfers and hold luggage) can be booked at easyjet.com/holidays

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 – and we MUST HAVE A WINNER!

*T&C’s apply.

📊 THE RECORD AGAINST CATALANS

Super League summary

Saints and Catalans have met 47 times in league action, with the Red V leading the overall head-to-head score with 27 wins to the Dragons 20. Of our 27 wins over the French outfit, two have come in the play-offs in 2014 and 2020, and the big one in 2021 at the Grand Final.

The highest winning Saints score against Catalans came back in a 2007 home game, 53-10, and the Saints’ widest winning margin over the Dragons was in the 2020 semi-final winning 48-2.

Last ten meetings – First Team vs Catalans Dragons

Catalans Dragons 13, St Helens 14 (SLR6, 29/3/25)
St Helens 24, Catalans Dragons 12 (SLR13, 31/5/24)
Catalans Dragons 14, St Helens 8 (SLR7, 6/4/24)
Catalans Dragons 12, St Helens 6 (SLSF, 6/10/23)
St Helens 12, Catalans Dragons 14 (SLR19, 13/7/23)
Catalans Dragons 24, St Helens 12 (SLR11, 5/5/23)
Catalans Dragons 20, St Helens 18 (SLR17, 2/7/22)
Catalans Dragons 20, St Helens 36 (CCQF, 9/4/22)
St Helens 28, Catalans Dragons 8 (SLR1, 10/2/22)
Catalans Dragons 10, St Helens 12 (SLGF, 9/10/21) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)

🏎️ WHITLEY ON PUTTING THINGS RIGHT

Having had a week off with the Challenge Cup being played, Matt said that he feels it’s come at a good time for us. He believes it’s given us the chance to reset and work hard through the weeks to put things right.

Watch the full player preview with Matt on Saints TV!

🗣️ WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS? 

Liam Moore will be the Referee for Thursday evening’s Super League fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Richard Thompson and Marcus Griffiths, as well as Video Referee Jack Smith.

For the Academy fixture, the Referee will be J. Hughes and the two Touch Judges supporting will be H. Conroy and N. Khan.

WEARING THE RED V

The Saints’ 2025 Home Kit will be worn on Thursday night!

Taking centre stage, the iconic Saints crest has been transformed into a futuristic holographic badge and is placed in the centre of the shirt for the first time in 16 years.

The shirt has elasticated sleeve cuffs that feature a woven oval SH pattern taken from one of the core elements of the Club crest, with the SH also watermarked into the Red V and on the side panels of the shorts.

Get yours online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!

The Saints Superstore at the Totally Wicked Stadium will also be open on game day for you to visit!

🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 11

Friday

Leeds Rhinos vs Hull FC – 8pm
Wigan Warriors vs Leigh Leopards – 8pm

Saturday

Hull KR vs Huddersfield Giants – 5:30pm

Sunday

Wakefield Trinity vs Warrington Wolves – 3pm
Castleford Tigers vs Salford Red Devils – 5:30pm

Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 11 by clicking here.

 FOLLOW THE GAME WITH SAINTS

Fans not in attendance will be updated in full with the Saints’ Live Match Centre – your hub to find out the team news, follow live game updates, see behind the scenes photos, and click to read all the key stories of the fixture.

St.Helens’ social media accounts will keep supporters up to date of every key moment, so ensure you are following us!

X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Highlights and the full match replay will be available for Saints TV subscribers too.

🥤 FOOD & DRINK

The stadium has a number of kiosks located around the concourse, each named after a legendary Saints player or phrase!

These are situated in each stand and serve a variety of hot and cold food, chocolate, crisps, snacks as well as a range of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.

Check out a full rundown of our Food & Drink offerings by clicking on the image below!

Please note: Fans are not permitted to bring in any food or drink not purchased on the premises other than bottled water for medical reasons.

🎒 BAG CHECK

Personal bags of A5 size or smaller only will be permitted in the Totally Wicked Stadium, and our stewarding staff will check your bags and conduct bag checks upon entry.

Whilst this is a change to what supporters have been used to in the past, the Club’s decision to implement these changes to entering the ground with a bag are to ensure everyone’s security and safety when attending fixtures at the home of the Saints.

With the proposed implementation of The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill legislation, there may be further updates to fans’ gameday experiences in the future, with the priority of creating a safe environment for all.

We kindly ask supporters to please remain patient and be co-operative with our staff, and we thank you for your understanding.

Bags larger than A5 will only be permitted at the discretion of St.Helens R.F.C. staff if containing essentials for babies, or medical purposes and will be subject to being searched before entry. It is advised to provide Medical Exemption Certificates or proof of eligibility for a Medical Exemption Certificate.

O’Neills branded paper bags from the Saints Superstore will be permitted entry, however they too will be subject to bag checks from our stewarding staff.

Bag-Drop Facility

A Bag-Drop area will be set up on match days at the Totally Wicked Stadium for any bags that would not be permitted entry. This will be located in the South East corner of the stadium and will be open from two hours before kick-off and will close one hour after full time.

Please note our Bag-Drop facility will cost £3 per bag, and as a cashless venue only debit or credit cards will be accepted. St.Helens R.F.C. accepts no responsibility for loss or damage of items which are left at the owners’ risk, with all bags subject to a search.

 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.

🤝 MEET THE SAINTS IN THE REDV BAR

James Bell & Konrad Hurrel will be joining Mike Bennett in the RedV Bar ahead of kick-off at 6:45pm!

This is your chance to hear from the players and get the inside scoop before the game.

The RedV Bar will be open from 3pm on Saturday, with a full range of drinks to enjoy; Stowford Press Original and Mixed Berry, Carling, RedV Smooth, Guniness and Madri all on draught!

🐲 A LOOK AT THE DRAGONS…

In recent seasons the Catalans Dragons have established themselves as a true contender, reaching two Grand Finals but coming up short in both.

It was a tough 2024 campaign for the French side, who finished outside of the Play-Off spots. With a strong recruitment drive for 2025, the Dragons plan on remaining one of the contenders this year, with a squad that is littered with talent.

Big name signings saw the likes of Nick Cotric, Elliott Whitehead, Luke Keary and Tevita Pangai Junior all make the move to Perpignan from the NRL, with Super League players Oli Partington and Tommy Makinson (you might have heard of him) also joining Les Dracs.

All those names joined a squad that had Sam Tomkins, Julian Bousquet, Ben Garcia, Alrix Da Costa, Theo Fages and many more known talents. It is clear to see why Catalans were being widely tipped for a big year.

It has been a mixed campaign so far in the 2025 season for McNamara’s men, in a similar vein to the Saints, with both sat in the league table level on ten points with a 5 win to 5 loss record. It took until Round 4 for the Dragons to get their first points on the table at home against Leeds Rhinos, which appeared to show they had turned a corner, however our dramatic Round 6 away win briefly halted that momentum.

The Dragons did manage to make it to the Semi-Final stage of the Challenge Cup last weekend with a tight win over Salford, but lost 36-12 to Hull KR, falling just short of reaching Wembley.

Three to watch

• Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet – stepping in for the injured Sam Tomkins, the fullback has shown himself to be a bright and talented prospect for the Dragons, with some star-making moments in recent months
• Luke Keary – a three-time NRL Premiership winner, the veteran half has a lot to offer the Dragons not only with his style of play but his rugby league brain too
• Tevita Pangai Junior – a towering Tongan prop who is at the height of his powers, proven with his efforts when we visited the Stade Gilbert Brutus