The Saints take on one of our local neighbours with Warrington Wolves coming to the Totally Wicked Stadium for a double header of action, with the Academy teams up first at 5:15pm, then the main event with the First Teams kicking off at 8pm.
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.
SAINTS ACADEMY UP FIRST
With your match ticket or Membership, you’re getting twice the amount of action on Friday night with a curtain raiser between the two Academy teams!
In a repeat of the 2023 Academy Championship Grand Final, the Saints Under 18s will take on the Wolves Under 18s, with kick-off at 5:15pm.
Derek Traynor’s Academy Saints are on a five match winning run, the latest of which was a big 0-46 away day victory over Hull KR at Sewell Group Craven Park. The Red V sit atop the Academy Championship table, level on points with Wigan but with a significantly better points difference.
Get down to the ground, the stadium is open from 4:45pm, and see our next generation of Saints stars and give them your support!
SQUAD NEWS
Paul Wellens has made two changes to the squad that was announced for last week’s derby, with Leon Cowen and Will Roberts stepping out.
Moses Mbye is now back available for selection after serving his one-match penalty notice, and Saints Academy player Owen Dagnall is called up for the first time into the senior 21-man side!
Following his inclusion in Paul Wellens’ 21-man squad declaration, Owen Dagnall has been issued the squad number #34 for the 2024 season.
Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round Eighteen squad news!
Warrington Wolves’ 21-man squad vs St.Helens
The big news for Wire this week was the addition of new recruit Luke Yates from Huddersfield Giants, who was originally set to join the club next season, but following the departure of the Giants’ Head Coach Ian Watson the move has been brought forward and a fee paid by Warrington for him to join Sam Burgess’ squad now.
Yates is the only change to the Warrington team that managed to get a home win over Leeds Rhinos in Round 17, with Joe Bullock moving on loan to Salford for the remainder of the 2024 season.
1. Matt Dufty, 4. Stefan Ratchford, 5. Matty Ashton, 6. George Williams, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 8. James Harrison, 9. Danny Walker, 10. Paul Vaughan, 11. Ben Currie, 13. Matty Nicholson, 14. Rodrick Tai, 16. Zane Musgrove, 17. Jordan Crowther, 25. Lucas Green, 28. Adam Holroyd, 29. Tom Whitehead, 32. Sam Powell, 33. Arron Lindop, 34. Max Wood, 36. Cai Taylor-Wray, 41. Luke Yates.
📲 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 (Action), 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. 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!
🏉 THE REST OF ROUND 18 IN SUPER LEAGUE
Friday
Huddersfield Giants vs Salford Red Devils – 8pm
Leigh Leopards vs London Broncos – 8pm
Saturday
Hull FC vs Wigan Warriors – 2pm
Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR – 3pm
Sunday
Castleford Tigers vs Catalans Dragons – 3pm
Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 18 by clicking here.
💬 COACH PREVIEW
Paul Wellens spoke to the press ahead of Friday’s match and started by reflecting on a good performance by his team in The Derby last week, stating that was the level of performance we need consistently, regardless of the high number of injuries his team.
In an update on when it is hoped we can see some of our senior Saints back in action, the Red V went through the latest player by player.
Saints TV subscribers can watch the full Coach Preview with Paul Wellens!
🔻 WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?
The Saints’ 24 Home Kit will be worn on Friday night against the Wolves!
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. Take a look at ‘Super’ Jack Welsby in action wearing our 24 Home Kit below!
Get your 24 Home Kit online by visiting saintssuperstore.com!
🔴 WELCOME, LIVERPOOL FC WOMEN
Ahead of Liverpool FC Women playing their matches at our home ground, the Club is thrilled to welcome eight of The Reds to the match on Friday night!
Gemma Bonner, Rachel Laws, Lucy Parry, Sophie Román Haug, Yana Daniels, Faye Kirby, Hannah Silcock and new signing Olivia Smith, will be in attendance for the big clash between Saints & Warrington!
A quickfire Q&A will also be held on the pitch at half time, as these players take a first-hand look at their new home venue for LFC Women’s matches!
For enquiries on LFC Women season tickets for next season, please register your interest here.
WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Chris Kendall will be the Referee for Friday night’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Jonny Roberts and Mark Craven, and as with all Super League fixtures in 2024 there will also be the Video Referee Liam Moore based at Rugby League’s remote refereeing base.
🛫 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 New York with PLAY*!
Icelandic airline PLAY resume their Liverpool-Reykjavik service in September, with onward connections via Reykjavik to a host of North American cities including Toronto, Boston, Washington DC, Baltimore and New York City. Prices start at just £337 return, and you can book now at flyplay.com
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.
🤝 SEE THE SAINTS ON THE CONCOURSE!
Members of our non-playing First Team Saints will be out on the concourse in the home sections of the Totally Wicked Stadium on game night!
We encourage fans to be around the concourses around 7:15pm in the Totally Wicked North Stand, and 7:30pm in the West Stand as the players make their rounds!
🎧 ERIC MCKENNA – LIVE IN THE WEST STAND
You can catch the incredible DJ and music producer Eric McKenna performing a live DJ set on the West Stand Performance platform!
Eric will begin just ahead of the Saints coming out for warm up at approximately 7.25pm in the heart of the supporters in the West Stand, and will get the atmosphere primed and ready for what promises to be an exciting Super League game!
🔻 PLAYER PREVIEW
Whilst St.Helens are doing it tough on the injury front, it presents opportunity for players such as Noah Stephens to step in and stake a claim for a shirt.
Reflecting on a fiery derby last time out against Wigan, Stephens credits the fans for their noise in the stands, and knows that Warrington will be a tough task this coming Friday night too.
Watch the full player preview with Noah on Saints TV!
🥤 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!
📊 THE RECORD AGAINST WARRINGTON
Last ten meetings
St Helens 8. Warrington 31 (CCQF, 14/4/24)
St Helens 16, Warrington 8 (SL-E, 30/9/23)
Warrington 6, St Helens 18 (SLR26, 15/9/23)
Warrington 20, St Helens 24 (SLR18, 7/7/23)
St Helens 28, Warrington 6 (SLR10, 20/4/23)
Warrington 10, St Helens 12 (SLR13, 19/5/22)
St Helens 28, Warrington 2 (SLR5, 11/3/22)
Warrington 14, St Helens 24 (SLR22, 30/8/21)
St Helens 2, Warrington 6 (SLR10, 17/6/21)
St Helens 18, Warrington 20 (CCQF, 19/9/20) (at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford)
Super League summary
The Saints have a strong foothold in the head-to-head record against Warrington, winning 58 of the meetings (including wins in 2010, 2012 and 2023 play-offs), whilst Wolves have won 16, and honours have been shared in a draw only twice.
Our highest score and widest winning margin over Warrington came in a 2002 home victory, 72-2.
🛍 JULY’S MEMBERS’ OFFER
One of the many benefits for our 2024 Members is a special monthly offer with the Saints Superstore!
This month’s offer allows Members 10% discount on both 24 Home & Away Kits throughout July!
For more information click on the image below!
🦺 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.
🐺 A LOOK AT THE WOLVES
The Wire continue to be a buoyant mood under new Head Coach Sam Burgess with their supporters quietly purring at the thought ‘Could it our year?’, and currently sit second in the table at the cost of St.Helens’ loss last week.
2023 was a wildly up and down season for Warrington, under Daryl Powell they started like a house on fire with eight wins from eight games, but the hype fizzled out as they fell down the league ladder. A big 42-6 loss to basement battlers Wakefield in July proved to be the final straw for Powell and the Club parted ways. More inconsistency meant the Wolves scraped into the top six for play-off rugby before falling short to the Saints in the eliminator.
A new era was on the horizon with rugby league legend Sam Burgess taking over the reins, and with a number of new recruits to boot, Warrington have a bit more of a buzz around them in 2024.
In-comings into the squad include; Lachlan Ftzgibbon, Zane Musgrove, Jordan Crowther, Sam Powell, Rockrick Tai, former Saint Wes Bruines and the return of Toby King after a successful loan spell at Wigan.
One of the biggest player switches in 2024 saw Daryl Clark, who had served Wolves with distinction come to join the Red V. Clark leaves a big hole for the Wire but Danny Walker who has been something of an apprentice to Daryl in recent years is now stepping up into the #9 shirt. Warrington clearly wanted to ensure their hooker options were solid also bringing in Sam Powell from Wigan and Brad Dwyer (although he has now left to join Leigh).
Under Burgess so far in 2024 the Wolves have performed well, even reaching the Challenge Cup Final but falling short against Wigan Warriors at Wembley.
After the disappointment of the Cup Final, they now look to do the one thing they have so long desired to do: win at Old Trafford. With ten rounds of the regular season to go, they’re in a strong spot, but the play-offs race is tight and the Saints will be motivated to get back above the Wolves after a three narrow losses has seen us move down the table.
THREE TO WATCH
- George Williams – the England captain is pivotal to the Wolves’ attack and when he is on song, he can be very tricky to handle with a strong running and kicking game making him one of the league’s best halves
- Matt Dufty – finding his best form in 2024, the fullback is firing well in attack and is the top metre-maker in the competition so far
- Ben Currie – consistent and resilient, the forward could play across the pack and do a very good job and is one of Warrington’s key leaders, much like their captain Stefan Ratchford
