Key Points
- Head Coach Eamon O’Carroll has named his 21-man St.Helens team for Saturday’s Betfred Super League Round 24 game against Castleford Tigers at the BrewDog Stadium.
- Head Coach O’Carroll names two new players to the St.Helens squad following their Round 23 victory over Wakefield Trinity by 46-16 on the previous Saturday.
- Mark Percival rejoins the 21-man squad after missing some games through injury.
- Young Academy forward Oscar Knox comes into the 21-man squad and is set to make his first appearance in the first team if he gets selected, which will make him the sixth Academy player to come through in the past few weeks.
- Lewis Murphy and Alfie Tate fall out of the 21-man squad selection for Round 24.
- This game is part of the club’s Community Development Foundation fixture and Inclusion Round for 2026.
- An early game will see the Saints Academy play Wakefield Trinity at 12pm in the Academy Play-Offs ‘Middle Four’.
- The First Team kicks off at 3pm against Castleford Tigers in Round 24.
- HALO FanZone reopens after the game for the first time in 2026 with live music until 7pm.
- 2026 members can bring a guest for only £5 courtesy of an upgraded ticket promotion.
St.Helens (Liverpool standard) August 20, 2026 – The Saints squad for Saturday’s home fixture against Castleford Tigers has been confirmed by Interim Head Coach Eamon O’Carroll, who has named his 21-man selection for the Betfred Super League Round 24 encounter at the BrewDog Stadium.
As reported by the official St.Helens website (saintsrlfc.com), O’Carroll has made two changes to the group that secured an impressive 46-16 away victory over Wakefield Trinity last Saturday. The headline news is the return of Mark Percival to the 21-man selection, with the experienced centre joined by young Academy forward Oscar Knox, who has been drafted into the squad ahead of Saturday afternoon.
The confirmation comes ahead of what the club has described as a special Community Development fixture, with two games on the day, a stacked FanZone, the Inclusion Round for 2026, and the chance for Members to bring a friend for just £5.
O’Carroll’s Two Changes to the Squad
The Saints squad sees a welcome boost with the return of Mark Percival, who has been out of the side and now makes his way back into the 21-man selection. He is joined by Oscar Knox, the young Academy forward who has been called up ahead of Saturday’s match.
If Knox is selected to play, he would make his senior St.Helens and Super League debut and would become the sixth Academy homegrown talent to do so in recent weeks. That statistic underlines the club’s ongoing commitment to promoting young talent from within its own ranks.
Stepping out of the 21-man selection from Round 23 are Lewis Murphy and Alfie Tate, who miss out on the squad for the Tigers fixture.
The Full 21-Man Squad
The confirmed St.Helens 21-man squad to take on Castleford Tigers is as follows: Jack Welsby, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor, Alex Walmsley, Shane Wright, Jacob Host, Joe Shorrocks, Nene Macdonald, Jacob Douglas, Jake Davies, Tom Humphreys, Jackson Hastings, Cole Marsh, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Billy Keeley, Matty Evans, Chris Matagi, Jack Campbell and Oscar Knox.
The squad offers a blend of established internationals and emerging Academy talent, with O’Carroll looking to build on the momentum generated by last weekend’s commanding victory.
Building on a Super Second Half
The First Team will aim to build on their impressive 46-16 away victory against Wakefield last Saturday. O’Carroll will be keen to capitalise on that super second half and carry that momentum into this week’s game against the Tigers.
As reported by the official St.Helens website, O’Carroll was due to preview the match with the media at the Club’s weekly press conference on Thursday afternoon, which would provide the latest updates on the Saints’ squad. Supporters can watch the press conference on demand and in full on Saints TV later on Thursday.
The Opposition: Castleford Tigers
The Tigers come into the fixture with a bounce after their 14-18 win over Hull FC last Friday night. That result gives Castleford momentum of their own heading into the Round 24 clash, setting up what promises to be a competitive contest at the BrewDog Stadium.
A Day of Two Matches
Saturday represents a full day of rugby league at the BrewDog Stadium, with the Saints Academy facing Wakefield Trinity at 12pm in the Academy Play-Offs ‘Middle Four’ before the First Team take on Castleford Tigers at 3pm in the Betfred Super League.
Up first, supporters are encouraged to cheer on the next generation as the Saints Academy face Wakefield in an exciting curtain-raiser. In the previous meeting between the two sides, the Red V Under-18s edged a thriller 26-28 over in West Yorkshire back in May, so this should be another belter.
FanZone and Matchday Experience
The HALO FanZone will be bigger and better for this Saints’ Community Development Foundation fixture, with fans able to enjoy an enhanced match day experience from 12pm. The FanZone will be located on the approach to the ground, with the main hub of activity located just outside The Marching Inn.
For the first time in 2026, the FanZone will reopen after the game against the Tigers, with live music until 7pm, and the Saints Superstore will also be open for supporters after the game. The FanZone will feature food trucks, Coffee King, JJ’s Ices, Player Q&As, Jack Dean live, DJ Earl Raff and much more.
Celebrating the Community
Saturday will serve as the Saints Community Development Foundation fixture and Inclusion Round for 2026, with members of the Wheelchair and LDSL teams all taking part in the day. Players from the Wheelchair side will be on hand in the HALO FanZone to showcase their skills to fans ahead of the First Team game.
The Wheelchair team are currently taking part in their inaugural season as a team together in the Development League and will be on hand outside the ground prior to kick-off to share their expertise. The LDSL team will be in action on the pitch at half-time of the Super League match, taking part in some fun games against local rivals Wigan Warriors as they continue to prepare for their next Festival, which takes place at Crusader Park, home of local club Thatto Heath Crusaders.
Amateur clubs from the community will also be celebrated, with youth teams getting to take a lap around the pitch at half-time, proudly representing their club around the Home of the Saints.
Ticket Information
Tickets start from just £27.50 for adults and an incredible £6 for juniors aged 12 and under, with Under 5s tickets free. The easiest way to secure a spot at the BrewDog Stadium is to purchase a ticket online via the club’s ticketing website, where fans can secure a digital or ‘Print at Home’ ticket without needing to visit the Ticket Office.
Fans can also visit the Ticket Office during opening hours, or contact the club by calling 01744 455 052. Ticket Office opening times are Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with match days subject to change. Junior and Junior Member tickets must be purchased with a full-paying Adult or Concession ticket and cannot be sold individually.
In addition, 2026 Members can bring a friend or family member to the game for just £5. The club has refreshed the offer, meaning every 2026 Saints Member now has another discounted ticket available to use for this upcoming home fixture. If a Member has already used their offer this season, they now have another; if not, they can get two tickets for just £5.
Background
This fixture sits within the context of St.Helens’ 2026 Betfred Super League campaign, with the club competing in Round 24 of the regular season. The Saints are managed on an interim basis by Eamon O’Carroll, who took charge of the First Team and has overseen a strong run of form, most recently demonstrated by the 46-16 away victory over Wakefield Trinity.
The match also carries significance as the club’s designated Community Development Foundation fixture and Inclusion Round for 2026. This annual event is designed to celebrate and showcase the wider Saints family, including the Wheelchair team, which is competing in its inaugural season in the Development League, and the LDSL team, which continues to prepare for its next Festival.
The return of Mark Percival and the potential debut of Oscar Knox reflect the club’s broader approach of blending experienced international players with homegrown Academy talent. The Academy’s recent success, including the 26-28 win over Wakefield’s Under-18s in May, has helped produce a steady stream of young players stepping up to the senior ranks, with Knox potentially becoming the sixth such debutant in recent weeks.
Prediction
This development is set to have a significant impact on the St.Helens fanbase and the wider Super League audience. For supporters, the return of Mark Percival adds attacking quality and experience to the backline, strengthening the Saints’ prospects of extending their winning run against Castleford Tigers. The potential debut of Oscar Knox also offers fans a glimpse of the club’s future, reinforcing the sense of a squad in transition that is investing in young, homegrown talent.
For the club itself, the fixture represents more than just two league points. The Community Development Foundation and Inclusion Round status, combined with the enhanced FanZone and the post-match reopening, is designed to grow the matchday experience and strengthen ties with the local community, including the Wheelchair and LDSL teams. This could help attract new supporters and deepen engagement with existing Members, particularly through the refreshed bring-a-friend-for-a-fiver offer.
For the players, the two changes to the squad signal that competition for places remains intense, with Lewis Murphy and Alfie Tate stepping out of the selection. The outcome of Saturday’s match could shape the Saints’ momentum heading into the closing rounds of the season, with a victory likely to boost confidence and strengthen their position in the Super League table as they look ahead to the play-offs.
