Match Preview: Wakefield Trinity (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.

📰 SQUAD NEWS

Head Coach Paul Wellens makes a number of changes to his squad following last weekend’s match against Warrington Wolves, and today names a 20-man Saints selection.

Mark Percival, Jake Wingfield, Daryl Clark and Ben Davies step out of the squad. In come Lewis Murphy, Jake Burns and Harry Robertson.

Click or tap on the image below to read more about our Round 7 squad news!

Daryl Powell makes three changes to his squad following their defeat to Leigh Leopards.

Fullback Max Jowitt is available following a leg injury picked up in the middle of March. Back-rower Seth Nikotemo is in line to make his Super League debut after joining Wakefield ahead of the 2025 season but suffering a hand injury in the pre-season. Young outside back Jayden Myers is also named by Powell.

Oliver Russell, Matty Russell and Josh Griffin are the Trinity men who step out of the squad.

Wakefield Trinity 21-man squad vs St.Helens

1. Max Jowitt, 2. Lachlan Walmsley, 3. Cameron Scott, 4. Corey Hall, 5. Tom Johnstone, 8. Mike McMeeken, 9. Liam Hood, 10. Ky Rodwell, 11. Seth Nikotemo, 13. Jay Pitts, 15. Caleb Hamlin-Uele, 16. Renouf Atoni, 18. Isaiah Vagana, 19. Oliver Pratt, 20. Mason Lino, 21. Mathieu Cozza, 23. Josh Rourke, 25. Jack Croft, 28. Harvey Smith, 30. Jayden Myers, 31. Caius Faatili.

💬 COACH PREVIEW

Knowing how challenging Wakefield as an opposition are, Wellens knows that they too will be looking to respond after exiting the Cup last Friday night. However, getting back into action sooner rather than later is a positive for the Head Coach.

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

THE RECORD AGAINST TRIN

Super League summary

St Helens have won 48 matches against Wakefield Trinity, whilst our visitors on Friday have got the victory on 10 occasions.

St Helens highest score against the Trin came back in 2005 at home, winning 64-16, whilst the widest margin was also in 2005 but that was a 60-4 victory.

Last ten meetings

Wakefield Trinity 6, St Helens 26 (SLR3, 1/3/25)
Wakefield Trinity 16, St Helens 32 (SLR24, 3/9/23)
St Helens 38, Wakefield 0 (SLR6, 31/3/23)
St Helens 18, Wakefield 34 (SLR26, 29/8/22)
Wakefield 12, St Helens 13 (aet) (SLR20, 24/7/22)
St Helens 20, Wakefield 4 (SLR3, 25/2/22)
Wakefield 14, St Helens 30 (SLR14, 9/7/21)
St Helens 34, Wakefield 6 (SLR3, 16/4/21)
St Helens 48, Wakefield 6 (SLR9, 15/10/20) (at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
Wakefield 16, St Helens 20 (SLR15, 9/10/20) (at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)

🛫 LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT: CROSSBAR CHALLENGE 

One lucky Saints 2025 Member at half time on Friday will get the chance to win a pair of return flight to Antalya with SunExpress, with airport parking and lounge access included!

SunExpress have now launched their services to Antalya from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, meaning you can now fly direct from Merseyside to the Turquoise Coast! Book your flights at SunExpress.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.

*T&C’s apply.

 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.

WEARING THE RED V

The Saints’ 2025 Home Kit will be worn on Friday 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 SEVEN

Thursday

Salford Red Devils vs Leeds Rhinos – 8pm

Friday

Hull KR vs Wigan – 8pm

Saturday

Warrington Wolves vs Hull FC – 5:30pm
Castleford Tigers vs Leigh Leopards – 8pm

Sunday

Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons – 3pm

Take a look at how the Betfred Super League table looks ahead of Round 7 by clicking here.

 WHO WILL BE THE MATCH OFFICIALS? 

Tom Grant will be the Referee for Friday night’s fixture, and he will be supported by Touch Judges Richard Thompson and Matty Lynn, as well as Video Referee Aaron Moore at Rugby League’s remote refereeing base.

🥤 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.

😇 BATCH BRACED FOR TOUGH TRIN TEST

The Saints back-rower reflects on Sunday’s exit from the Betfred Challenge Cup at the Quarter Final stage. Joe reaffirms that we as a team will be looking to make a big response in front of our fans on Friday night.

Watch the full player preview with Batch on Saints TV!

🎒 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.

⚜ TAKING A LOOK AT TRIN…

Back in the big time and not here to just make up the numbers.

Wakefield Trinity have been rejuvenated with their new ownership from the end of 2023, sweeping all aside in the Championship in 2024 to get a treble of trophies with; the 1895 Cup, the Championship League Leaders’ Shield, and the Betfred Championship title following a Grand Final win over Toulouse Olympique.

An extensive recruitment drive has seen Daryl Powell assembled a very strong squad for their return to the Super League this year in 2025. Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman and Olly Russell are their headline additions, but even more in-comings has given them more squad depth.

In Round 1 in a round full of surprises the Trin went to AMT Headingley and bested Leeds Rhinos 12-14, but in a far more impressive manner than the scoreline would suggest with the Rhinos grabbing a late score. An impressive scalp on their opening day.

Powell’s men backed that great start up by welcoming Hull KR to their revamped home, and took last year’s Grand Finalists to the death with a touchline kick late on to level proceedings. Unfortunately though for Wakefield it was missed, and the Robins edged a win but the Trin had plenty of positives to take from the game.

The Trin then welcomed us, the Saints, to their home and we bested them 6-26 with a solid and professional performance. However, that made it back-to-back home losses, and since then, they still have yet to win at home, with further losses to Hull FC in Round 5, and their most recent defeat last weekend to Leigh in the Quarter Final of the Challenge Cup.

On the road though, Wakefield have put on strong showings and won every away game so far. In Round 4 they secured a 16-30 win over Warrington Wolves, which must have been a pleasant return to his previous club for Powell, a Challenge Round 4 win over Huddersfield 12-22, and their best performance of the year so far at Leigh Sports Village 14-40 which they couldn’t repeat though last weekend.

Three to watch

• Mike McMeeken – the Trin’s new captain knows Daryl Powell very well and following a few years in France has come back to England looking to make Wakefield’s pack very tough to beat, putting in big minutes as a prop
• Oliver Pratt – a possible future star of the Super League, the centre is a strong ball runner and evasive too boot, making him tough to handle on an edge
• Josh Rourke – the fullback joined the Trin from London and has quickly shown his Super League quality once again, stepping in for the talisman-like Max Jowitt, who has been out injured, and putting on strong performances