St Helens travel to face Leigh Leopards knowing that they must win to keep their top four hopes alive and we’ve predicted how each side could look.
Saints always knew that they would have to beat Leigh to have a chance of finishing fourth but Leeds’ shock loss to Catalans Dragons on Thursday night now opens up the prospect of finishing third.
That’s more likely for Leigh with a win for the Leopards set to move them into third spot and end any hopes for St Helens of finishing in the top four.
The Leopards are one of the four teams who St Helens have a torrid record against recently, having lost their last three games with Saints’ record since Good Friday 2024 against Wigan, Leigh, Hull KR and Warrington Wolves standing at zero wins and nineteen losses.
They’ve lost to Hull KR and Wigan Warriors in back-to-back weeks so avoiding defeat against Leigh, one of those teams they’ve struggled against recently, could be massive for the mentality of the players.
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Leigh Leopards predicted line-up
Tesi Niu is the big loss for Leigh with the centre failing a HIA last week with Adrian Lam joking that opposite number Harry Robertson would have been breathing a sigh of relief at that news.
Lam confirmed that either Jack Hughes or Andrew Badrock would replace the centre and the more experienced man may be chosen, with Badrock playing off the bench.
Joe Ofahengaue was back in the squad and looks set to start meaning Aaron Pene drops to the bench, alongside Alec Tuitavake and last week’s try-scorer Matt Davis.
Predicted Leigh Leopards XIII: Bailey Hodgson; Keanan Brand, Umyla Hanley, Jack Hughes, Josh Charnley; Gaz O’Brien, Lachlan Lam; Joe Ofahengaue, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern; Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu
Interchanges: Matt Davis, Alec Tuitavake, Aaron Pene, Andrew Badrock
🐆 𝟮𝟭 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗗
The squad selection for Round 26 has been locked in 🔒 pic.twitter.com/Cin7FsVWaN
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) September 10, 2025
St Helens predicted line-up
Paul Wellens has the same headache that has plagued him for the past few weeks and it’s what to do with Tristan Sailor. The answer might be to bench him and use him as the utility.
Using Jack Welsby anywhere other than full-back wastes his talents and the same can be said for Jonny Lomax and Moses Mbye in the halves, particularly given Mbye’s kicking game. Sailor was used brilliantly at hooker against Huddersfield when Welsby returned but we’ve not seen him there since.
Shane Wright, who returns from a pec injury, is an option to start at loose forward with James Bell possibly the unfortunate man to drop out of the squad to make way for the returning George Delaney.
Predicted St Helens XIII: Jack Welsby; Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Deon Cross; Jonny Lomax, Moses Mbye; Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Joe Batchelor, Matt Whitley, Shane Wright
Interchanges: Curtis Sironen, George Delaney, Tristan Sailor, Agnatius Paasi
🔵🔻 𝑺𝑸𝑼𝑨𝑫 𝑵𝑬𝑾𝑺
Head Coach Paul Wellens has named his 21-man Saints squad for this Friday’s away match against @LeighLeopardsRL
Read more 😇 https://t.co/XyjTIAq4ET#COYS | St Helens Flooring pic.twitter.com/6w0sRZzHwA
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 10, 2025
