In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011, Leeds and St Helens met at Old Trafford as both sides cemented themselves as the masters of making it to the Grand Final.
However, after cementing themselves as Super League’s most successful side with eight title wins, Leeds haven’t returned to Old Trafford in 2017 and their struggles to return to the Grand Final have only intensified in 2022. The Rhinos have lost six of their opening seven games including a 40-16 defeat in the cup last week against Castleford meaning that for the first time since 1991 and 1992, Leeds have failed to make the semi-finals of the cup in consecutive seasons.
Seemingly a long way away from returning to the Grand Final, Leeds appear a million miles away from the Champions St Helens who are looking to top Leeds’ record of three consecutive titles which they won at St Helens’ expense from 2007-09. Still big rivals, Saints will be looking for a big performance to put the rest of the league on notice,
Kick-off time and TV channel
The game kicks off at 20:00 at Headingley.
TV coverage will begin at 19:30 on Sky Sports Arena.
Predicted Line-ups
Leeds Rhinos
It was confirmed earlier this week that Leeds’ first choice right edge would be absent for some time with both David Fusitu’a and Harry Newman requiring surgery. So, both Liam Tindall – who scored his first Super League try against the Saints in 2020 – and Tom Briscoe will remain on that edge for now unless Jamie Jones-Buchanan wants to bring Jack Broadbent into the fold. There’s only one enforced change for the Rhinos with Brad Dwyer suspended meaning Buchanan may bulk out his bench with Alex Mellor’s inclusion. Kruise Leeming will have to play 80 minutes.
1 Jack Walker
29 Liam Tindall
20 Tom Briscoe
4 Liam Sutcliffe
5 Ash Handley
6 Blake Austin
7 Aidan Sezer
8 Mikolaj Oledzki
9 Kruise Leeming
10 Matt Prior
11 James Bentley
12 Rhyse Martin
24 Jarrod O’Connor
Substitutes
15 Alex Mellor
17 Cameron Smith
21 Morgan Gannon
25 James Donaldson
St Helens
After an injury hit side took to the field in France and a rotated squad defeated Whitehaven in the cup, Kristian Woolf will named a 17 approaching full strength for this clash at Headingley. Alex Walmsley is back so the big question is who will join him in the front row, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook or Agnatius Paasi. Morgan Knowles is back too meaning we could see Jake Wingfield start on the bench. Skipper James Roby is set for his 500th appearance but will he return to the starting line up after a couple of appearances off the bench? Konrad Hurrell is set to feature against his former side with Josh Simm on the wing in the absence of Regan Grace and Will Hopoate.
1 Jack Welsby
21 Josh Simm
23 Konrad Hurrell
4 Mark Percival
2 Tommy Makinson
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
16 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
Substitutes
14 Joey Lussick
17 Agnatius Paasi
18 Kyle Amor
19 Jake Wingfield
Huddersfield Giants
Former Wigan Warriors man agrees deal with Huddersfield Giants
