Match preview: St Helens
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wigan Warriors’ derby clash with St Helens on Sunday evening.
The old rivals will meet at the Totally Wicked Stadium in what will be the first time they’ve come up against each other in 2021.
Campaign so far
After a strong start of seven straight wins, the Warriors will be looking to rediscover some of that form after losing their last four.
St Helens currently sit 2nd in the Betfred Super League table having won eight from their first 10 games. However, consistency has waned in the last five games, in which they have lost two.
Team news
Prop Brad Singleton is available and returns to the squad after serving the second game of his two-match ban (Grade C) on Thursday.
Tony Clubb will serve the eighth of an eight-match ban for a Grade F charge (Unacceptable language based on national or ethnic origin).
Injury news
Forward Morgan Smithies misses out after leaving the field against Warrington in Round 12 with an ankle injury.
Second row John Bateman is an absentee this week after suffering an ankle injury last week when on international duty with England.
Zak Hardaker also misses out with a neck injury which also kept him out of action on Wednesday against Warrington.
Dom Manfredi remains side-lined with a knee injury.
Jai Field continues recovery for a torn hamstring suffered in Round 1 against Leigh Centurions.
Full back Bevan French remains out of action as he recovers from a torn hamstring also.
Wigan Warriors squad to face St Helens
On Friday Adrian Lam named the Wigan Warriors squad for Sunday night.
The Opposition
Also on Friday, Kristian Woolf named his Saints side to face Wigan.
Previous meetings
Last ten meetings:
- St Helens 8, Wigan 4 (SLGF, 27/11/20)(at KCOM Stadium, Hull
- St Helens 6, Wigan 18 (SLR19, 30/10/20)
- Wigan 0, St Helens 42 (SLR14, 29/9/20) at AJ Bell Stadium, Salford
- St Helens 40, Wigan 10 (SLQSF, 27/9/19)
- St Helens 32, Wigan 10 (SLR22, 12/7/19)
- Wigan 10, St Helens 36 (SLR11, 19/4/19)
- St Helens 22, Wigan 12 (SLR1, 31/1/19)
- St Helens 10, Wigan 30 (SLS8-R3, 31/8/18)
- Wigan 6, St Helens 14 (SLR22, 19/7/18)
- St Helens 21, Wigan 18 (SLR8, 30/3/18)
Super League summary
St Helens wins: 42
Wigan wins: 38
Coach quotes
Speaking to the media on Friday morning, Adrian Lam had this to say about the fixture.
“There’s no harder game than this one on Sunday, but these are the games we live for.
“It is our arch rivals and the first time since last year’s grand final, so we are looking forward to it.”
On their varying preparations: “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. It’s a massive game at St Helens, we’ve got one training session and then we are into it.”
“It’s a really difficult task, but one we are looking to, to find some form in and bounce back from Wednesday night.”
Match officials
The man in the middle on Wednesday evening will be James Child. Robert Hicks will provide support as video ref.
How to Follow
OurLeague access
Live coverage will be available to season ticket holders via the RFL’s Our League app and website, with the coverage expected to begin around five minutes before kick-off.
We are pleased to have learned this week that Our League streaming has been further extended through to Round 14 of the Betfred Super League season (Huddersfield Giants at home), so there are at least four more Warriors fixtures being televised via this service.
Our League access codes have been sent via email to the addresses registered against the accounts of all 2021 season ticket holders , so if you’ve signed up for this season, please check your email for a step-by-step guide on how to activate your code and enjoy live streaming of every behind closed doors game we play in Betfred Super League this season.
If for any reason you haven’t received the email/codes you were due for your full group, please email info@wiganwarriors.com with the relevant name(s) and client code(s) so that we can help to forward any details that you’re missing ahead of the game.
Wigan TV
Highlights and match reaction will be available on Wigan TV following the result. Not a subscriber? Find out more HERE.
Listen LIVE
Join commentary team Joe Mills and Bilko (Andrew Rimmer) as they bring you free live commentary of the whole game. Head to the Wigan Warriors home page here from 10 minutes before kick off and click ‘Listen Live’.
Alternatively, head to https://mixlr.com/wigantv to enjoy the commentary and join in the conversation with fellow fans.
Social Media
Furthermore, Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.
- Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.
- Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information and reaction.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and head coach and players reaction.
Enter the Virtual 50/50 Half Time Draw, offering you great prizes whilst providing a huge revenue boost to our famed Academy! Click here for more info.
