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2018 Super League – St Helens vs Castleford Tigers Preview

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AT A GLANCE

When? Friday 2nd February, 19:45

Where? Totally Wicked Stadium

What channel is it on? Sky Sports Action

Are tickets still available? http://saints.retailsportssyst...

Where can I stream the match? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match online via Sky Go

THE LOWDOWN

ST HELENS

Head Coach: Justin Holbrook

Squad: Amor, Barba, Douglas, Fages, Grace, Knowles, Lomax, Makinson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Morgan, Percival, Peyroux, Richardson, Roby, Smith, Taia, Thompson, Walmsley, Wilkin

Unavailable:

  • St Helens head into the season as one of the favourites for the Super League title after a solid end to last year.
  • Head coach Justin Holbrook has overseen his first pre-season at the club after joining midway through last season. He has a fully-fit squad to choose from for his side’s opening game with hooker James Roby set to lead the side this season having taken over the captaincy from Jon Wilkin.
  • Saints proved difficult to beat on home soil last season and will be looking to continue that trend again in what will be a tricky opening encounter.

CASTLEFORD TIGERS

Head Coach: Daryl Powell

Squad: Cook, Eden, Ellis, Gale, Green, Holmes, Massey, McMeeken, McShane, Millington, Milner, Minikin, Moors, Roberts, Sene-Lefao, Shenton, Trueman, Wardle, Webster

Unavailable:

  • Castleford will be looking to go one better this season after they were beaten in the Grand Final by Leeds Rhinos. It was ultimately a disappointing end to the season for the Tigers having comfortably won the League Leaders’ Shield but they will be looking for a strong start to here as they look to retain that crown.
  • Daryl Powell has no injury issues as his side begin their campaign. He has named a strong 19-man squad that includes new signings Jamie Ellis, James Green and Joe Wardle.
  • Castleford were extremely difficult to beat on home soil last year but it was their away form that also helped them en-route to the Grand Final, having won their last eight Super League matches away from home.

KEY STATS

  • St Helens have won the last 10 home Super League meetings between the two sides
  • St Helens have scored at least 21 points in the last 10 home Super League meetings between the two sides
  • Castleford Tigers have won their last 8 away Super League matches
  • There has been a total of 278 points scored in the last 6 meetings between the two sides in all competitions at an average of 46.3 per game
  • Castleford Tigers’ Greg Eden was the leading try scorer for the 2017 Super League season with 38 tries in 27 appearances

THE PREDICTION

In a rematch from last year’s enthralling semi-final, St Helens will view this as an early chance to exact some revenge for that heart-breaking loss. They head into the season with near enough the same squad as last year and will hope that continuity pays off. Castleford have a few new faces and will have to adapt following the loss of Zak Hardaker but Saints might make it a tough start for them having won the last 10 Super League meetings between the two sides when playing at home.

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