MATCH PREVIEW | ST HELENS | ROUND 9

We've already faced the Saints this season, but we find ourselves matched up against them so soon again, as we make the journey to the Totally Wicked Stadium on Thursday.

THE STORY SO FAR 📖

We've reached that stage of the season where we're already playing teams for the second time, and with it being our 8th away game in 11 matches, we find ourselves at the home of the Saints, the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Both teams are coming into this game off the back of morale boosting wins, with the Giants on a four match winning run, and St Helens demolishing Hull FC 58-0.

The Giants were behind at half-time in our most recent encounter with Leeds Rhinos, but staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Leeds 24-30 at AMT Headingley.

Ian Watson's men will come into this game full of confidence, after a string of results and encouraging performances, however this will be one of the toughest yet with St Helens sitting in second place.

Our backline is arguably one of the most in-form in the competition, with Esan Marsters high in the carries and metres made statistics and Adam Swift the top try scorer in the competition.

THE OPPOSITION 😇

Paul Wellens' Saints currently sit second in the Super League charts, after a recent defeat to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan saw them drop a place, however they got straight back to business with a win.

Last time out vs the Giants, they put on a comprehensive 0-28 winning performance at the John Smith's Stadium, with the Giants not being able to score on that occasion, we will look to better that on Thursday evening.

One of the feared teams in the competition, they have a host of star playing who can turn nothing into something, none so more than Jack Welsby, who is expected to feature in the halves as he did last week, but is also comfortable and extremely talented at full-back.

At just 23 years of age, he has already won it all, scooping the Super League title, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge, the Giants will need to be on their best defensive shape on Thursday to lock out Welsby.

The Saints are missing the powerful front rower Alex Walmsley this week, with the prop sidelined, however that doesn't mean their pack is any less imposing, with Matty Lees and Sione Mata'utia putting on a strong display vs Hull FC last week.

PREVIOUS RESULTS 🔙

Last ten meetings:

Huddersfield 0, St Helens 28 (SLR2, 24/2/24)

St Helens 32, Huddersfield 18 (SLR1, 13/8/23)

Huddersfield 6, St Helens 48 (SLR14, 4/6/23)

(at St James' Park, Newcastle)

Huddersfield 12, St Helens 14 (SLR6, 23/3/23)

St Helens 25, Huddersfield 0 (SLR19, 15/7/22)

Huddersfield 12, St Helens 24 (SLR9, 18/4/22)

St Helens 23, Huddersfield 18 (CCQF, 7/5/21)

(at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)

Huddersfield 10, St Helens 18 (SLR4, 22/4/21)

Huddersfield 6, St Helens 54 (SLR11, 4/9/20)

(at Emerald Headingley, Leeds)

St Helens 10, Huddersfield 12 (SLR6, 6/3/20)

Here, is the 'Opta Stats Pack' for this week's match-up. 📈

● St Helens have won each of their last eight Super League games against Huddersfield Giants by an

average margin of 22.4 points; in fact, they’ve kept the Giants scoreless in two of their last five meetings

in the competition.

● Each of Huddersfield Giant’s last five Super League games have been won by the away team on the day

with the Giants picking up four wins in that stretch including each of their last three games; however,

they’ve lost their last three away games against St Helens.

● St Helens have scored the opening points of the game seven times this Super League season – the most

of any team – and won five of those seven games, while only Hull FC (0) and Castleford Tigers (1) have

opened the scoring fewer times than Huddersfield Giants (3).

● Huddersfield Giants have scored one try for every 7.9 play-the-balls they’ve had in the opposition 20m

zone this Super League campaign, the most frequent of any team in the competition; however, only

Catalans Dragons (one every 17.7 PTBs) have conceded tries from their own 20m zone less frequently

than St Helens (one every 17.4 PTBs).

● Jack Welsby (St Helens) has scored the opening try of the game on three occasions in the Super League

this season, more than any other player, and has crossed for one try in six of his eight appearances in

2024; he’s also been directly involved in 12 tries across his last five games against Huddersfield Giants

(3 tries, 9 try assists).

WHO TO WATCH 👀

• Daryl Clark - Arguably one of the signings of the season in Super League, the hooker has eased into James Roby's boots after the legends retirement and has impressed so far.
• Matt Whitley - Another off-season signing from the Catalans Dragons, Whitley is a strong-running back rower who also has an eye for a try.
• Tommy Makinson - Household name in the competition, Makinson has made a name for himself with his try scoring exploits and acrobatic finishes in recent season .

TICKETING INFORMATION 🎟️

Tickets are on-sale online, from the Ticket Office and over the phone by calling 01484 484159 until 3:00pm on Thursday 25th April.

SQUAD NEWS 💪

Ian Watson has selected his 21-Man Squad which sees Harvey Livett replaced by Hugo Salabio, the back-rower sustained a slight groin injury and misses out.

IAN WATSON & MATTY ENGLISH PREVIEW 🗣️

Head Coach Ian Watson & Matty English sat down with the media on Wednesday to discuss the upcoming game vs St Helens, you can watch the interview by clicking below.

WATCH HERE!

WHAT KIT WILL WE WEAR AT THE TOTALLY WICKED STADIUM? 🔵

The Giants are yet again donning the Blue and Grey kit this Thursday, as we hope to keep our winning run going wearing our alternative shirts.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE GAME 👇

Giants club social media accounts will also keep supporters updated, with team news, picture and video content during the build up and then match updates throughout the game, the main hub for this is X (Formerly Twitter). Follow us on: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Highlights will be available on our YouTube channel 24 Hours after the game, alongside a Full-Match replay on GiantsTV for subscribers to enjoy.

Sky Sports subscribers can watch it live on Sky Sports Action (7:30PM), as this game is a main broadcast game, this match is not available live on SuperLeague+.