St Helens have named a squad made up majorly of academy and reserve team players, as they prepare to take on Swinton Lions in a pre-season friendly.
Whilst many of the squad will be unknown to fans not of the Red Vee, eagle-eyed fans will have noticed a familiar surname announced in the line-up.
Ollie Roby, son of Saints and Super League legend, James, has been named in the 22-man squad, as he looks to make his first senior appearance in the squad.
Unlike his father who was a hooker, Roby can play in the centre or on the wing, and played for the club’s U18’s in 2025, featuring three times and scoring once.
Another player with a familiar surname in the squad is Chris Matagi, son of the now-Doncaster forward Suaia. He was a regular in the academy side last year, and stepped up to the reserves squad on three occasions last year. He was also part of Yorkshire’s squad that defeated Lancashire in the Academy Origin series in 2025.
Elsewhere, there are just two players in the squad to have played in Super League, with those being Leon Cowen and Jake Davis. Combined, the pair have only made three appearances, so it’s fair to say it will be a tough but valuable test for the young Saints men.
St Helens squad to face Swinton Lions:Â Harvey Braddish, Jack Campbell, Noah Carter, Reilly Cosgrove, Leon Cowen, Jake Davies, Olly Evans, Rhyley Hyde, Elliot Jamieson, Billy Keeley, Joel Kilgannon, Oscar Knox, Logan Lagar, Dec Lyon, Cole Marsh, Chris Matagi, Tyler McGann, Sam Oakes, Ollie Roby, Deacon Swarbrick, Bobby Tyerman, Luca Walsh.
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