Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont says all English fans should support St Helens in World Club Challenge against Penrith Panthers

It’s been five years since an English team were crowned World Champions.

That was the Wigan Warriors in 2017 when they defeated Cronulla Sharks at the DW Stadium.

Since then, Leeds Rhinos lost in Melbourne to the Melbourne Storm in 2018, Wigan were beaten by Sydney Roosters at home in 2019 before the same fate befell St Helens in 2020 in the last World Club Challenge due to the pandemic.

The last English team to win the World Club Challenge before that were the Leeds Rhinos in 2012 meaning there has only been one English winner in a decade.

Furthermore, the last time an English team won the trophy in Australia was back in 1994.

So, there is plenty riding on St Helens’ journey to Penrith in February as the Super League Champions take on the back-to-back NRL Champions Penrith Panthers for the right to be world champions.

It is the only accolade that has alluded this St Helens side who have won the last four Grand Finals, a Challenge Cup and three League Leaders’ Shields in five seasons.

It brings back the age old debate of should all English fans be cheering on the Saints as they take on Penrith and the week before St George Illawarra Dragons.

Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont certainly thinks so taking to Twitter to say:

“Absolutely been outstanding for years and I will definitely be a Saints fan on the 11th and 18th our clubs and fans should unite to support the team representing our country.”