St Helens prepare for home welcoming against Leeds Rhinos

Leeds Rhinos take on World Champions St Helens this Friday in a repeat of last year’s Grand Final. Will the Rhinos get their first win of the season at the third attempt? Or will St Helens make it two from two in their hunt for a fifth title on the bounce?

Friday’s fixture is the first meeting between the sides since September’s Grand Final, which saw the Saints win their fourth consecutive title as they won 24-12 at Old Trafford. This fixture already has some great narratives outside of this too. The Rhinos are not only looking for their first win against the Saints since 2018, but they will also be looking for their first win of the 2023 Super League season.

The Rhinos have lost both their games this season. In round one they put in a dire performance in the Wire as they lost heavily to Warrington. In round two, there were signs of improvement against Hull FC and they were arguably the better team for big periods of that game, but ultimately lost 22-18. The combinations are starting to click, especially through the spine.

New signing Nene Macdonald was good on debut, and added some extra solidity in the centres which was missing against Warrington. The Rhinos will need to be more clinical though. They missed several big chances against Hull FC that could have turned the game on its head.  Leeds will need to take these chances if they are to leave the Totally Wicked Stadium with the two points this Friday.

For Saints, they are looking to make it two from two after a solid win at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle against Castleford last Sunday in their season opener. The Saints started slowly, allowing Castleford to get the upper hand in the opening exchanges, but they got more and more into the game and eventually ran away with it, winning 24-6.

The performances of star players Jonny Lomax and Alex Walmsley were a vital part of their win, and the pair will be looking to replicate this against the Rhinos. The carrying of Walmsley, as well as Sione Mata’utia caused havoc against Castleford, and they will be itching to run at the Rhinos who have struggled stopping big ball carriers this season.

Paul Wellens commented on the win last week, saying: “I know there’s a lot of people within the game that won’t see that victory (against Castleford) in the same light as they saw the victory against Penrith last week, but for me as a coach of this club its every bit as impressive.

“To be able to deal with what we’ve dealt with in the last seven eight days and then put in a performance in like that it speaks volumes for this playing group and how they approach different situations.”

Friday night’s game is a massive occasion for the Saints. It’s their first home game since winning the World Club Challenge, and will want to put in a stellar performance in front of their fans.

In team news, St Helens name an exciting 21-man squad that sees some of their big hitters return. Tommy Makinson returns from a head knock and Curtis Sironen is also named after missing Sundays match due to illness. Mark Percival is also named after recovering from a rolled ankle picked up against Castleford.

Star full-back Jack Welsby is also named after avoiding a suspension following a high tackle on Sunday. The strong ball carriers Sione Mata’utia, Alex Walmsley and James Bell are all named and will look to punch holes in the Leeds defence, and all were vital to the win last week.

For the Rhinos, they also welcome back one of their star players in the shape of James Bentley, who comes in for his first game of the season against his old employers. In-form prop Justin Sangare is named in the 21-man squad following strong performances in both matches this season.

Versatile back Liam Tindall is named too after a strong performance for Bradford Bulls, where he is dual-registered, in their victory over Toulouse last weekend. The Rhinos also name Jack Sinfield in the 21-man squad for the first time this season.

Friday night promises to be a great occasion, but who will leave with the two points?

21-man squads

St Helens: 1. Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jonathon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Sione Mata’utia, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 16. Curtis Sironen, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. James Bell, 20. Dan Norman, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 23. Konrad Hurrell, 25. Tee Ritson, 30. George Delaney

Leeds Rhinos: 1. Richie Myler, 2. David Fusitu’a, 4. Nene MacDonald, 5. Ash Handley, 6. Blake Austin, 7. Aiden Sezer, 9. Kruise Leeming, 10. Zane Tetevano, 11. James Bentley, 12. Rhyse Martin, 13. Cameron Smith, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 15. Sam Lisone, 16. Derrel Olpherts, 17. Justin Sangare, 18. Tom Holroyd, 19. James McDonnell, 22. Sam Walters, 23. Liam Tindall, 25. James Donaldson, 29. Jack Sinfield.

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