Sam Burgess’ Warrington Wolves put in a stellar performance to defeat St Helens 24-14 in a quite brilliant performance to start their Super League season off.
It marked the eighth time in a row that Warrington have beaten St Helens with that impressive record also ending Saints’ record of winning their round one Super League fixture for the past 12 seasons.
The sold-out crowd inside the Halliwell Jones Stadium marked the largest home attendance for Warrington in over 50 years and those fans made themselves heard, getting behind the Wolves but also getting on top of St Helens.
That undoubtedly helped as Wire started fast with tries from Toby King and a spectacular effort from Cai Taylor-Wray, making it 12-0 to the home team inside 20 minutes. Taylor-Wray was at it again minutes later to help set up Albert Hopoate’s try that made it 16-0, with Marc Sneyd adding two more via a penalty as Wire took an 18-0 lead into the break.
Saints came out of the break fired up and after two disallowed tries, Jack Welsby finally scored though he injured himself in the process. A Tristan Sailor score soon followed but any hope of a comeback was snuffed out as Josh Thewlis scored in the corner to make it 22-10 with just over 10 minutes to go. A Kyle Feldt consolation was scored but it meant little with many of Saints’ fans having already left.
After 80 minutes of enthralling action, here are all the key talking points from Wire’s 24-14 win.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens talking points
Cai Taylor-Wray
Placed in the spotlight and under some big expectations when handed the number one shirt ahead of the season, Cai Taylor-Wray stepped up and made that shirt his own tonight.
He’s shone when utilised in past seasons but an injury in 2025 meant minutes were limited but this performance proved exactly why Sam Burgess had such faith in him with Matt Dufty already an afterthought based on Taylor-Wray’s performance.
The 19-year-old was a constant threat in and around the ruck, regularly receiving the ball from dummy-half and breaking lines, with the best examples of that being his 70-metre try and his break that helped set up Albert Hopoate’s score. His pass for Josh Thewlis’ try is also another worth watching on the highlights.
It’s an incredibly early shout and almost certainly far too reactive but right now, he’s in with a shout to be England’s starting full-back at the World Cup, especially if Sam Burgess lands that coaching gig.
Cai Taylor-Wray lighting up the Super League 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WeRiC4mBEW
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 13, 2026
Forwards packing a punch
Whilst Warrington’s backs were exceptional, the game, as many are, was won in the forward pack. Signings Liam Byrne, Toafofoa Sipley and Kelepi Taningoa packed a real punch and added to what was already at Warrington in regards Luke Yates, Ben Currie, James Harrison and Sam Stone.
Whilst Wire’s pack were on top form, there was a definite struggle in that department for St Helens. Losing Matty Lees on the eve of the season is torrid luck and the unavailability of Curtis Sironen and Noah Stephens meant that Paul Rowley named just two forwards on the bench.
After Wire took the lead earlier, Saints simply couldn’t get a foothold in the game to bounce back with their pack outworked and overtired.
Reality check for Rowley-ball
With so much expected from St Helens, it was a night that flattered to deceive. Changes such as the one that Paul Rowley are trying to implement will take time but the 98-2 hammering of Workington perhaps got fans, and pundits, a little bit too giddy.
Facing off against a spirited Warrington, Saints really struggled to get a foothold in the game and their frustration showed throughout. One such example was when captain Jackson Hastings was sent to the sin bin for a blatantly late shot on Cai Taylor-Wray as the full-back set up Wire’s fourth try.
George Williams and Danny Walker
One man who struggled for England in the Ashes and one who wasn’t selected and both played like they had a point to prove tonight with the pair among several elite performers for Warrington tonight.
Williams was fired up throughout and gave true drive to Warrington, whilst Danny Walker looks liek someone who will benefit greatly from the quicker ruck speeds. Williams had a silky assist chalked off late but the signs are strong that the skipper is back to his best.
Do Warrington Wolves have the best back five in Super League?
With Cai Taylor-Wray announcing himself on Super League, Josh Thewlis putting in a stellar performance on the wing and overseas recruits Josh Smith and Albert Hopoate shining on their Super League debut, the question has to be asked.
They will welcome Matty Ashton, who is arguably the best winger in Super League, back into their back five in weeks to come with Toby King likely vacating and Josh Smith shifting inside to centre. That will give them an electric back five that will rival any club in Super League. From there the task is on George Williams and Marc Sneyd to get the team around the park to help unleash those backs.
Injury fear for Saints
In the process of scoring the try that sparked St Helens into life, Jack Welsby seemed to suffer an injury to his right arm. He left the field holding his wrist though the initial complaints seemed to be about his shoulder.
Whatever the injury was, the full-back didn’t return and that’s another blow for Saints. Nene Maconald was the man to relocate to full-back on the night but Tristan Sailor is another option in the future should Welsby’s injury rule him out of future games.
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