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OFFICIAL E-PROGRAMME Versus Huddersfield Giants 06 March 2020 | Kick-off 7.45pm BETFRED WHERE YOU SEE AN CONTENTS ARROW - CLICK ME! 04 06 10 View from the Club Morgan Knowles on surgery Top News 13 22 40 Opposition Heritage Squads SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS: PRE–SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS: Editor: Jamie Allen Super League Winners: 1996, 1999, Championship: 1931–32, 1952–53, Contributors: Alex Service, Bill Bates, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, Steve Manning, Liam Platt, Gary World Club Challenge Honours: 1974–75 Wilton, Adam Cotham, Mark Onion, St. Helens R.F.C. Ltd 2001, 2007 Challenge Cup: 1955–56, 1960–61, Conor Cockroft. Totally Wicked Stadium, Challenge Cup Honours: 1996, 1997, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1975–76 McManus Drive, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 Leaders’ Shield: 1964–65, 1965–66 Photography: Bernard Platt, Liam St Helens, WA9 3AL BBC Sports Team Of The Year: 2006 Regal Trophy: 1987–88 Platt, SW Pix. League Leaders’ Shield: 2005, 2006, Premiership: 1975–76, 1976–77, Tel: 01744 455 050 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019 1984–85, 1992–93 Fax: 01744 455 055 Lancashire Cup: 1926–27, 1953–54, Ticket Hotline: 01744 455 052 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, Email: [email protected] 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1984–85, Web: www.saintsrlfc.com 1991–92 Lancashire League: 1929–30, Founded 1873 1931–32, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69 Charity Shield: 1992–93 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: 1971–72, 1975–76 VIEW FROM THE CLUB... We go into this game with a good win over Toronto; which is always helpful. They’re inexperienced in the Super League and they’re just finding their feet. They were facing us on the back of four straight defeats, but they approached the game in the right way, and gave us a good match. We ourselves had just lost out in a tough match against the Roosters, but we approached the game with a fresh mindset. I was proud to lead those boys out for that game; we really took the game to the best in the world, and we performed in a manner which we, the club and the fans can be proud of. We came up just short, but I think our overall performance gave us the momentum to push on and get the job done against a team that’s improving week on week. “I WAS ALSO REALLY PLEASED TO On a personal note, I was happy to get back out there over the last two matches. The Roosters SURPASS 450 APPEARANCES FOR game was special with the occasion and atmosphere and was a great game to return. I’m THE CLUB. I’M HONOURED TO HAVE slowly building up my minutes, and I’m feeling HAD SUCH A SUCCESSFUL CAREER better each week. I was also really pleased to surpass 450 appearances for the club; I’m WITH SAINTS AND I HOPE THERE’S honoured to have had such successful career with Saints and I hope there’s still plenty more to STILL PLENTY MORE TO COME!” come! Looking ahead to tonight and we know we’ve got to prepare for a tough one once again. Despite last weekend’s defeat to Wigan, the Giants are flying; they’ve had a great start and have been playing some great rugby. It’s not a surprise when you look at their squad; they’ve recruited some quality players with the likes of Aidan Sezer and they’ve got some former Saints in their ranks too in the likes of Lee Gaskell and Cloughy! Their squad have gelled really well, but we’ve got a tight and talented group ourselves. We’ll approach the game like any other and prepare properly. I think it’ll be a good match between two teams gunning for the top, but hopefully we can continue to build and take the two points and push on for the rest of the season. Enjoy the game. Robes MORGAN KNOWLES.... MORGAN KNOWLES “WHEN YOU ARE INJURED, IT’S TOUGH. IT’S A MENTAL CHALLENGE MORE THAN A PHYSICAL ONE.” MORGAN KNOWLES Your last game before your injury It was clear in the Warrington loss we was the Grand Final; what kind of were missing that physicality down the experience was that for you? middle – you’ve come in and made a huge impact, how does it feel getting It was amazing – it’s the thing you dream back into the team? of doing when you’re a kid. To get the chance; it was even more special after It’s great to be back. Obviously back the year we had, we walked away with it for the Hull game and the World Club and then deservedly won. To score made Challenge – and we’ve had some wins it that extra little bit special! and I think in general we have been good. On another day in that WCC, we take You then went on to have off season those opportunities and it’s a different surgery on your shoulder, what was the game. We weren’t that far off at all really, recovery process like? which is pleasing given that they’re the best club team in the world. I thought It was tough. I got both my shoulders for big periods we were the better team; done at the same time, because it meant I think they probably just taught us a that I’d definitely be back then for the lesson on being clinical and taking your World Club Challenge, so that’s what I opportunities. decided to do. I didn’t want to miss the World Club Challenge, so I put myself How difficult do you think the match vs through that which was tough, obviously the Giants tonight will be? my Mrs had to do a lot for me - I was very reliant on her, so it was difficult! They’ve started well. They’ve definitely got some confidence and they’ve played How difficult was it having to sit on a few games back to back. They’ll the side line for the very start of the definitely fancy themselves; they had that season? slip up against Wigan but the best way for them to rectify it would be beating us, It’s tough; it’s a mental challenge more the reigning Champions on Friday. than a physical one I think when you’re out injured. Every week seems the same, you’re surrounded by the same walls in the gym while the boys are out there, you feel a bit like you’re getting left behind. It is very frustrating. PREVIEWING TONIGHT’S MATCH! WOOLF PREVIEWS GIANTS TEST PAULO ON CELEBRATING BIRTH OF DAUGHTER! TOP NEWS THIS MONTH GOOD FRIDAY VIP HOSPITALITY SOLD OUT! Saints will face Wigan Warriors on Good Friday at the Totally Wicked Stadium, 10 April (KO 2:45pm) and places in our VIP Hospitality Lounges are now SOLD OUT. CLICK TO READ MORE! SEVEN SAINTS IN ENGLAND WOMEN’S PERFORMANCE SQUAD Head Coach Craig Richards has appointed Paul Sculthorpe, to coach new the Knights Performance Squad and has selected seven Saints in his 39-strong FIND OUT WHICH SAINTS ARE INCLUDED LOOK OUT FOR OUR FOOD BANK! Foundation Chaplain Derek Hardman will be located near the Youth Zone of the Totally Wicked Stadium in a Saints branded van pre-match at our home games! CLICK TO READ MORE ONLINE SAINTS IN ENGLAND SQUAD BRIEFING England Head Coach Shaun Wane has invited 31 prospective Ashes candidates, including six Saints, to a players’ gathering at Old Trafford on Monday. CLICK TO DISCOVER MORE ONLINE CLICK TO VIEW ALL OUR LATEST NEWS ONEILS HALF HATTONS HALF AFEX OPPOSITION A WELCOME TO... HUDDERSFIELD GIANTS The Giants arrive with a spring in their step (Bradford Bulls), Sebastine Ikahihifo (Salford Red having won their opening three away matches Devils), Izaac Farrell (Sheffield Eagles) and Scott in 2020. Grix (Halifax) have each departed. In fact, despite having a game in hand on the Huddersfield won their three warm up matches, leading two clubs in Super League, Huddersfield defeating, Halifax (H) 42-6, Wakefield Trinity (A) are lying in 4th place on the league ladder, level 16-4 and Batley Bulldogs (A) 26-22. They began on points, and just two places behind the Saints. their Super League campaign in great form and caused quite a stir in defeating Catalans Huddersfield were competitive for much of Dragons (A) 32-12, last year’s Super League last year’s campaign; but a series of injuries Grand Finalists, Salford Red Devils (A) 12-10 and a loss of confidence and form mid-season and Hull KR (A) 22-4, to top the table after saw them slip down the table; eventually only four rounds. Last Sunday, they suffered a set- avoiding relegation by defeating the Catalans back, following a 10-42 loss at home to Wigan Dragons, at home, by 24 points to 22 on the last Warriors; but, after five rounds, there is still an air day of the season. After breathing a huge sigh of confidence in the Giants’ camp; although they of relief, following their dramatic survival, head know tonight they face their ultimate challenge coach, Simon Woolford was able to assess their as they visit the Saints, last year’s Champions. efforts and build for 2020. St. Helens have faced Huddersfield on 51 Huddersfield have avoided the temptation to occasions in the Super League. Saints have won panic and have recruited well; with Ashton 38 of them and there has been one draw.