2019 Rugby League Challenge Cup – St. Helens vs Wakefield Trinity Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is St. Helens vs Wakefield Trinity taking place? Saturday 1st June, 15:15
Where is St. Helens vs Wakefield Trinity taking place? Totally Wicked Stadium
What channel is St. Helens vs Wakefield Trinity on in the UK? BBC One
Where can I stream the match in the UK? Viewers in the UK can stream the match online via the BBC Sport website
Where can I get tickets for St. Helens vs Wakefield Trinity?
St. Helens – https://www.saintsrlfc.com/tickets/match-tickets/
Wakefield Trinity – https://trinity.mysportstickets.co.uk/
THE TEAM NEWS
ST. HELENS
Head Coach: Justin Holbrook
Squad: Ashworth, Coote, Costello, Grace, Knowles, Lees, Lomax, Makinson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Naiqama, Paulo, Percival, Peyroux, Richardson, Roby, Smith, Taia, Thompson, Walmsley
Unavailable: Theo Fages
- St. Helens will have their eyes firmly on winning the treble this season after another dominant display to see off Castleford last weekend with the Challenge Cup now the focus for the league leaders.
- Saints have received a huge boost with the return of Mark Percival, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Luke Thompson as the injured trio all come back into Justin Holbrook’s 19-man squad.
- One negative for Saints is that they will be without the in-form Theo Fages after he suffered a concussion last week with his place taken by Danny Richardson whilst Adam Swift, Kyle Amor and James Bentley all drop out of the squad.
WAKEFIELD TRINITY
Head Coach: Chris Chester
Squad: Ashurst, Batchelor, Brough, Caton-Brown, Croft, England, Hampshire, Hirst, Jones-Bishop, King, Kirmond, Kopczak, Lyne, Miller, Randell, Reynolds, Sa’u, Tanginoa, Wood
Unavailable: Craig Huby, Tom Johnstone, Joe Arundel, Tinirau Arona, Max Jowitt, David Fifita
- Wakefield suffered late heartbreak as Catalans scored a late drop goal followed by a try on the hooter to condemn Trinity to defeat with them now facing a tough task of reaching the Challenge Cup semi-finals.
- A trip to league leaders St. Helens lies in wait but Trinity must do without star man David Fifita after failed to prove his fitness after suffering an injury in the defeat to Catalans whilst Max Jowitt will be out for six weeks.
- In better news for Wakefield, Danny Brough returns to make his first appearance since April after he overcame a hand injury and there is also a place in the 19-man squad for youngster Jack Croft who could make his debut.
THE PREDICTION
St. Helens showed glimpses that their brilliant style of attacking play was heading back in the right direction as they comfortably defeated Castleford last week. Saints now host an out-of-sorts Wakefield side and with star man David Fifita out, the home side should have no problems. Wakefield may struggle through the middle and despite Danny Brough’s return, Saints having their first choice pack available once again is crucial which should make it a comfortable afternoon for them.
