World Club Challenge returns with Saints set to head down under

Photo Credit – Josh Knowles, Prost International

It has now been confirmed that Super League champions St Helens will travel to Sydney in February 2023 to face the Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge.

The fixture will take place at 6pm local time/7am UK time and will be held at the home of the Penrith Panthers – the BlueBet Stadium on Saturday February 18^th.

The fixture will be Paul Wellens’ first competitive game in charge and has meant that Saints’ Round One Super League fixture against the Huddersfield Giants has been postponed and will be played at a later date.

After not being played for a couple of seasons, it gives the chance for the two champions to go head-to-head once again and for the first time ever, fans in the UK will be able to watch the clash on free-to-air TV as the game is going to be broadcasted by Channel 4 as part of a double header with the Super League clash between Hull KR and Wigan Warriors.

It will be St Helens’ eighth appearance in the World Club Challenge as they look for a third victory after previously beating Brisbane Broncos in both 2001 and 2007.

The Australian opponents have only previously featured in the competition twice, being beaten on both occasions by Wigan Warriors (1991) and Braford Bulls (2004) respectively.

After Saints have broken records for becoming arguably the best and the most successful side in the Super League era with four straight title wins, many fans have been calling for the Champions to test themselves against the Champions down under.

Penrith were unsuccessful in 2020, losing the NRL Grand Final to Melbourne Storm, but have gone on to become just the second team to retain the Premiership in the NRL-era after winning the title in 2021 and 2022, most recently beaten the Parramatta Eels 28-12 back in October.

So, with two successful teams becoming more and more dominant in their respective competitions, it’ll be a clash to savour as two real heavyweights go head-to-head in Sydney.

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