Four-time back-to-back champions St Helens are set to play in a first World Club Challenge game since 2020 and in preparation for their trip down under they’ve been making use of Premier League facilities.
Saints haven’t had the chance to atone for their 2020 loss to Sydney Roosters due to the pandemic and as such they’re incredibly keen to go win the title on Australian soil.
They’ll face Penrith Panthers who are the NRL back-to-back Champions and build their success on a dominant defensive scheme, something that Saints legend Mal Meninga hinted the Red Vee could exploit.
Due to some of the horrific weather conditions that the north of England has seen in the past week the Super League champions have taken up the opportunity to use Premier League football side Everton’s training facilities.
Everton’s training ground, Finch Farm, is only 11 miles from Saints stadium and the Merseyside club have used that to their advantage training in their indoor complex.
In pictures shared to the clubs official twitter they thanked Everton and showed some familiar faces including the returning Alex Walmsley who is coming off a season-ending injury.
Walmsley had recently been on the sidelines for a charity game as part if his Testimonial where he oversaw the ‘Big Alex’ squad as they played the ‘SPF’ team, raising money for the Steve Prescott Foundation in a game featuring Saints and Super League rival legends such as current coach Paul Wellens and also Adrian Morley
Saints head to Australia in the New Year and the game against Penrith has been officially confirmed for 18th February and will serve as a precursor to Hull KR hosting Wigan, both games being shown by Channel 4 in their 2023 Super League launch.
