Saints head to Castleford in the Sixth Round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup this Saturday – almost a year since the last cup meeting between the two sides.
It’s a tough test no doubt, but one Holbrook is looking forward to.
“You always want to play at home and I’m sure every team in the draw would have liked that,” he said. “But we travel to Castleford and are looking forward to the game.
“I think anyone you draw would be a hard game so we have to go out there and play well.
“Cas had a great season last year and have continued it on. They perhaps haven’t hit the heights of last season yet but they are still a very good side.
“They are good across the park and are very dangerous.”
Amor Drawing On Different Inspiration
Coachless Saints suffered a heavy loss at the Mend-a-Hose Stadium in last season’s competition, but Kyle Amor says he will draw on more recent inspiration for the clash.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of people talk about last year’s cup game and the defeat but let’s not forget we scored a lot of points early this season too,” he said. “That will be fresh in their minds and fresh in ours. We know if we play to our best then they are in for a tough day.
“On the flipside, we know they are a good side and are a different team at home too. They play that pitch well and we will have to turn up with the bit in-between our teeth.
“We know we will have to play well to get any sort of result. We are looking forward to it.”
He continued: “This club wants to win trophies and we know that as players. We are confident and that comes off the back of hard work. If we keep doing that and nail our individual jobs and roles then it will take a very good side to stop us.”
Barba Returns For Cup Test
The full back missed last week’s win over Catalans but is available for the tie at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle this Saturday.
“Benny Barba is fine and it’s good to report that everyone else came through the game ok,” Saints Head Coach Justin Holbrook said. “Cas will have a few back as well. They are a dangerous side and although we had a good result against them earlier in the season, that was a long time ago.
“They won’t have any issues in the halves with Luke Gale being out as Ben Roberts will be back and Jamie Ellis is a good player.
“It will be a tough game. It will be great to see as many Saints fans over there as possible. It’s a small venue with a small pitch, but the atmosphere will be a big one.”
Saints head into the clash in good form with the best attack and defence in the Betfred Super League.
But there’s no complacency as they begin what we hope will be a long and successful cup journey.
“We’re playing well but as staff and players we are all trying to get better,” he continued. “There’s no need to address complacency; the players set high standards here and it is up to us as staff to help them.
“It’s a pleasure to watch the boys play at the moment – they are playing well and deservedly so as they are working hard. We know we are judged on 80 minutes, we understand that as a group, and it up to us behind closed doors to make sure we are working hard.
“The whole year has been good so far but we have to do it again and that is the main thing. We can take confidence from the year to date but the reality is we have to do it again and are ready to do that.
“We want to do well in the Cup and this is our first test.”
Roby Up For Challenge
“It doesn’t get much tougher than going to Cas away in our first round of the Challenge Cup,” he said. “It will be a great atmosphere, hostile and loud but it is one we are really looking forward to.
“As a group and staff we are up for the challenge and we will try and go there and enjoy it. Hopefully, on the day, if we get our job done correctly then we will progress to the next round.
“We can’t look too far ahead – this is a challenge we need to get through before we consider anything else.”
It’s been a decade since Saints were last at Wembley; a stat that isn’t lost on Roby.
“I was lucky to be involved in the Cup wins of 06, 07 and 08 and it has been too long for a club like St Helens not to be back at Wembley. It probably isn’t good enough for us as a team to go that long.
“That said, we can’t be thinking of the bigger picture. We have a job to do on Saturday.”
Match Details
The game kicks off at 2:30pm on May 12 and tickets are now on sale.
Adult:
£15 for 2018 Members
£18 for Non-Members
Concessions (Student with valid ID, Juniors under 16, Over 60s):
£8 for 2018 Members
£10 for Non-Members
2018 Junior Members can attend the game for free but they must pick up a voucher before they travel.
On matchday, prices will be £20 for adults and £12 for concessions and there will be no Member discount available.
Coach travel is priced at £13 for Members and £15 for Non-Members and will leave at 11:45am.
Tickets are on sale from the Ticket Office, via 01744 455 052 and online.
