York Knights welcome St Helens to the LNER Stadium for the first time in Super League with both sides reeling from last week’s defeat, and there are changes a plenty.
The Knights lost at home to Huddersfield Giants last week as Jim Lenihan secured his first win since landing the new job, whilst Saints lost in the derby against Wigan Warriors.
Eamon O’Carroll took charge of that game given that St Helens parted ways with Paul Rowley the day before and as such, it was the team that Rowley selected that played that game.
O’Carroll has made changes today, albeit some are forced, and it’s the same for Mark Applegarth with debuts confirmed for both sides amid their injury issues.
St Helens in crisis, Rowley exit reaction and debating Super League’s best-ever overseas player – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show!
York Knights team news
York lost David Nofoaluma to a failed HIA last week and it’s ex-Castleford youngster Andy Djeukessi who replaces him, with the winger loaned in from Newcastle Thunder.
Djeukessi makes his debut for the Knights and will play just his second game of Super League but fellow loanee Matty English is not named, with Matty Foster and Oli Field resuming in the second-row.
There’s also no Sam Wood in the centres as Scott Galeano kicks inside to make way for Djeukessi, as ex-Saint Jon Bennison plays on the other wing.
York Knights XIII: Toa Mata’afa, Andy Djeukessi, Scott Galeano, Nikau Williams, Jon Bennison, Cody Hunter, Paul McShane, Jack Martin, Tom Inman, Xavier Va’a, Matty Foster, Oli Field, Ata Hingano
Interchanges: Denive Balmforth, Paul Vaughan, Jordan Thompson, Kieran Buchanan
⚔️ 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗫𝗜𝗜𝗜 powered by Judge Electrical
Here’s how the Knights line up for todays home game against @Saints1890 (5:30pm KO).#OurEra | #ThisIsYork ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/jX2qNryCYq
— York RLFC Knights (@YorkRLFC) August 1, 2026
St Helens team news
Eamon O’Carroll confirmed mid-week that Billy Keely would make his St Helens debut and the youngster is one of several changes made.
Jed Cartwright drops out after a quad injury, whilst George Delaney is out for the season as a result of a shoulder injury. Alex Walmsley returns at prop in a major boost and that sees Jacob Host move to the second-row, in place of the injured Cartwright.
Keely makes his debut from the bench, which is packed with youngsters, as Alfie Sinclair, Tom Humphreys and Chris Matagi are all named, with Jack Campbell named 18th man.
St Helens XIII: Jack Welsby, Jacob Douglas, Tristan Sailor, Jake Davies, Lewis Murphy, Harry Robertson, Jackson Hastings, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Jake Burns, Alex Walmsley, Jacob Host, Shane Wright, Joe Shorrocks
Interchanges: Alfie Sinclair, Tom Humphreys, Billy Keeley, Chris Matagi
😇 Here is how the Saints will lineup against @YorkRLFC this evening for Round 21 of the @SuperLeague!
Live Match Centre
➡️ https://t.co/zApCMuBoK1#COYS pic.twitter.com/FfWKCYP6jb— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 1, 2026
