Women’s match preview: St Helens
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wigan Warriors Women’s Betfred Women’s Super League Play-Off match against St Helens Women. The Warriors Women face the Saints at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Sunday 19th September (2pm K.O.).
Campaign so far
Wigan head into the fixture having played seven games in the Betfred Women’s Super League, with five wins and two losses. In the Play-Off games the Warriors have lost all three ties against Castleford, York and Leeds and will need to come away with the win against St Helens to have a chance of securing a Semi Final fixture.
Injury news
The Warriors remain without Amy Boardman, Alison Burrows, Rebecca Greenfield, Stacey Greenwood and Rachel Thompson with on-going injuries, all of whom are unlikely to feature again in 2021. Paige Costello also misses out on the final Play-Off game with a torn quadricep.
Head-to-head
The fixture sees the two sides face off for the seventh time in all competitions, though this will be the first meeting between the two teams since September 2019. Both sides have won three games each in Derby match-ups.
Last four meetings:
- St Helens 28-0 Wigan
- St Helens 32-0 Wigan
- Wigan 4-6 St Helens
- Wigan 10-6 St Helens
Summary:
- Wigan wins: 3
- St Helens wins: 3
Team news
Head coach Kris Ratcliffe has named his 19-player team to face St Helens on Sunday afternoon.
Coach quotes
Speaking to wiganwarriors.com, Women’s boss Kris Ratcliffe gave his thoughts on this weekends game: “The girls know the importance of the game – it’s the biggest Derby in Rugby League. A lot of our players have been Wigan fans since childhood, the motivation is there.
“St Helens have been outstanding all year, with so many England players it’s no surprise how well they have done. It will need tough, uncompromising and organised defence to earn the opportunity of getting the result. Tight defence will lead to a tight game and then it’s about being clinical in execution when opportunities arise.”
On vice-captain Victoria Molyneux, he said: “Vicky was phenomenal last week, even in defeat I thought she was the best player on the pitch, she has been brilliant all year.
“The girls will look to her for energy and inspiration again this week and i have no doubt that she will bring it. We have had to do it really tough with seven or eight starting players missing but the message has always been that we tough it out and keep going for each other.
“Vicky (Molyneux), Georgia (Wilson) and Carys (Marsh) reinforce that on the pitch as part of the leadership team.”
He added: “We will be down to our last available 17 this week, but I know the togetherness and culture within the group will ensure they give it their absolute all this week.”
Ticket info
Tickets for the fixture can be purchased in advance via the St Helens website or by calling the St Helens ticket office on 01744 455052, with cash only turnstiles also in operation on the day.
Please note tickets are for North Stand unreserved seating only. Tickets are priced at £5, U12s go free.
Watch Live
Can’t make it to the game? The fixture is being streamed live and free both on Our League and Twitch from 2pm.
Social Media
Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.
- Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – pre-match, half time and full time updates.
- Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – pre-match, half time and full time updates.
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – pre-match, half time and full time updates.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including a match report
