Leeds Rhinos v St Helens - all you need to know

Rhinos are aiming for a sixth successive win, but have not beaten Saints since March, 2018.

Here's all the essential information ahead of the big game.

Competition: Betfred Super League round eight.

Opponents: St Helens

At: Emerald Headingley

On: Sunday, August 9

Kick-off: 6.30pm

Coverage: Sky Sports

Tickets: No admission for fans - the game will be played behind closed doors.

Opposition coach: Kristian Woolf, 45, joined Saints ahead of this season on a two-year contract. The Australian did not play at the top level, but spent five years in charge of Tonga and masterminded their run to the World Cup semi-finals in 2017. He was assistant to Nathan Brown at Newcastle Knights and took over as interim-coach when the former Saints boss left a year ago.

Saints’ star man: They have a team full of them, but Lachlan Coote will be an extreme danger to Rhinos from full-back. The 30-year-old former Penrith Panthers and North Queensland Cowboys player was Super League’s top points scorer in 2019 - with 299 from 117 goals, a drop goal and 16 tries - and Saints’ man of the match against Catalans Dragons last week.

Key battle: Saints winger Tommy Makinson was Super League’s leading try scorer last year, with 23 touchdowns - one ahead of Rhinos’ Ash Handley. The Leeds man has a habit of scoring against Saints and will relish the contest.

Opposition form: Saints ran in six tries to demolish Catalans Dragons 34-6 at Headingley in their first game following coronavirus,with Coote bagging a brace and kick goals. Before the break Saints had won three of their opening six games.

Previous meeting: August 15, 2019. Betfred Super League round 26. Leeds Rhinos 20 (Tries Handley 2, Myler, Newman. Goals Martin 2), St Helens 36 (Tries Naiqama 3, Grace 2, Taia. Goals Precival 6. Referee: Chris Kendall. Attendance: 12,153.

Last five results: Rhinos WWWWW. Saints LWLLW

Milestones: Rhinos forward Adam Cuthbertson needs one appearance to reach 150 for the club. Saints’ James Roby is two tries away from 100 in Super League.

Super League head-to-head: Leeds have won 32, Saints have won 37. Leeds’ highest score was 74-16 at home in 2001, biggest margin 70-0 at home in 2004. Saints’ highest score was 62-18 in 2001, biggest margin 56-10 in 2004.

Team news: Leeds are without Konrad Hurrell (hamstring) and James Donaldson (back) from the team which beat Huddersfield Giants last week. Teenage back Jack Broadbent and former Warrington Wolves and Bradford Bulls winger/centre Rhys Evans have been drafted into the squad, along with half-back Callum McLelland. Tom Briscoe, Alex Sutcliffe and Tom Holroyd are also in contention. Saints’ initial 21-man squad is unchanged from last Sunday’s win over Catalans.

Other Rhinos injuries: Dom Crosby (knee), Liam Sutcliffe (knee), Stevie Ward (head).

Leeds Rhinos: from T Briscoe, Newman, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Dwyer, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Evans, C Smith, McLelland, L Briscoe, A Sutcliffe, Holroyd, Broadbent.

St Helens: from Coote, Makinson, Naiqama, Percival, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Roby, Taia, Peyroux, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Knowles, Lees, Amor, A Smith, Bentley, Welsby, Batchelor, Dodd, Graham.

Referee: Chris Kendall (Huddersfield).

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/why-yorkshire-evening-post-needs-your-support-laura-collins-yep-editor-2913382

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins