Mike Critchley

1 week ago | sthelensstar.co.uk | Mike Critchley

Saints are out of the Challenge Cup after losing their quarter final clash at Warrington Wolves. They hung in for long spells, despite the disruption of losing three players with HIAs - two permanently - but they paid a price for some sloppy errors with the ball and some poor ends to sets with an ineffective kicking game. They never grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck - and paid the price.

1 week ago | sthelensstar.co.uk | Mike Critchley

Paul Wellens - in his last ever game as a player on Good Friday 10 years ago. (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com) SAINTS have had head coaches in the summer era who have tried to take the emotion out of the Good Friday fixture by stating: “It is two points like all other games.” But those are not words that would ever trip off the lips of current incumbent Paul Wellens, who from an early age knew exactly what this game meant.

1 week ago | sthelensstar.co.uk | Mike Critchley

St Helens' Morgan Knowles in action last Good Friday (Image: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com) SAINTS enter the lion’s den on Good Friday to face back-to-back champions Wigan, who seem to have found their form again after a post-Vegas wobble that saw them surprisingly dumped out of the Challenge Cup by Hull FC. But last week Warriors were back to their imperious best as they took apart last year’s beaten Grand Finalists and current leaders Hull KR on their own midden.

1 week ago | sthelensstar.co.uk | Mike Critchley

George Whitby (Image: Bernard Platt) THERE are so many twists and sub-plots to Good Friday’s sold-out derby at Wigan (3pm) as the old rivals prepare to lock horns in a cauldron like atmosphere. The biggest talking point ahead of what Paul Wellens this week called “the biggest game in Super League outside of play-offs” has been who will play in the Saints number seven shirt.

1 week ago | sthelensstar.co.uk | Mike Critchley

Paul Wellens (Image: Bernard Platt) ST HELENS Coach Paul Wellens has named a 21-man squad for the Good Friday Betfred Super League clash against Wigan Warriors. There are a number of changes from last week’s squad for the Wakefield game. Centre Mark Percival is cleared to play after following head injury protocols from the Betfred Challenge Cup quarter final match.