St Helens vs Wigan Warriors: Kick-off time, TV channel and predicted line-ups

This fixture, like the corresponding game at the bottom of the table to kick the Magic Weekend off just hours before this one, has been spiced up by last weekend’s results.

As Wigan ploughed through Wakefield, St Helens lost to Catalans leaving just two points between the top two going into a big game at a big stadium.

Oh and did we mention it’s perhaps the biggest derby in Super League and the original derby. this could be the game of the season and will be crucial to the title race.

Kick-off time and TV channel

The game kicks off at 16:45.

TV coverage is live on Sky Sports Mix.

St Helens
St Helens’ strength lies in literal strength. Few teams can handle their pack and with returning players, Kristian Woolf may turn that strength up to 11. First thing’s first though, Will Hopoate’s return is timely and will see him take over at fullback allowing Jon Bennison to replace Tommy Makinson on the wing. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook’s return meanwhile gives Saints an extra natural prop which is something they’ve missed recently. The other return is Konrad Hurrell who is the key to predicting this team. Which centre will he replace? Will he allow Sione Mata’utia to return to his normal position or will he replace Ben Davies. I foresee Davies being the unlucky one allowing Woolf to start an extra forward with Mata’utia at centre.

3 Will Hopoate
27 Jon Bennison
23 Konrad Hurrell
11 Sione Mata’utia
5 Regan Grace
1 Jack Welsby
6 Jonny Lomax
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Matthew Lees
16 Curtis Sironen
12 Joe Batchelor
13 Morgan Knowles
Substitutes
14 Joey Lussick
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
17 Agnatius Pa’asi
20 James Bell

Wigan Warriors
We all know Wigan have the speed out wide to cause St Helens problems but to ensure victory, Wigan will also have to match St Helens for size and I believe this will factor into Matt Peet’s team selection. Recently, he’s run with Willie Isa and Kai Pearce-Paul at centre and both have pack experience so I believe the duo will remain there. Morgan Smithies return will see Joe Shorrocks drop to the bench and should Kaide Ellis be fit enough Wigan could name four forwards on the bench. If Ellis is unfit, Jake Bibby could again get the nod. Cade Cust’s return should see Jai Field return to fullback and Bevan French to the wing.

23 Jai Field
1 Bevan French
11 Willie Isa
21 Kai Pearce-Paul
5 Liam Marshall
6 Cade Cust
16 Harry Smith
8 Brad Singleton
9 Sam Powell
20 Liam Byrne
12 Liam Farrell
13 John Bateman
14 Morgan Smithies
Substitutes
10 Patrick Mago
15 Kaide Ellis
19 Ethan Havard
22 Joe Shorrocks