Jack Coslett picks out 5 Saints games not to miss during Betfred Super League 2018

ROUND 1:

Opponents: Castleford Tigers.

Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium.

Date: Friday, February 2.

Kick off: 7.45pm (Sky).

SAINTS open their campaign against the team who ended it in 2017.

In arguably the game of last season, Castleford came out on top of last year’s thrilling play-offs semi final at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle, but a vengeful Saints will be confident of a good start to this campaign.

There are murmurs of confidence oozing out of the Saints players after a full pre-season under Justin Holbrook, who will be looking for his side to repeat the 26-22 home win of Easter Monday last year when the two sides met at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

VERDICT:

Saints 18 Tigers 10.

St Helens Star:

Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Mike McMeeken collide in one of four meetings between Saints and Grand Final runners-up Castleford Tigers in 2017. Picture: Bernard Platt

ROUND 8:

Opponents: Wigan Warriors.

Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium.

Date: Friday, March 30.

Kick-off: To be confirmed (Sky).

EVEN before looking to see who’s up first, most Saints fans’ priority is checking the venue of the Good Friday game against Wigan. For some, winning this fixture defines the season.

Last year’s Good Friday tie was somewhat spoiled by a controversial red card for Saints’ Kyle Amor inside 10 minutes, the game always being an uphill battle for the red vee men from there.

Despite losing that day, it was the first time fans really saw the quality of Regan Grace. The Welshman will be hoping to impress again in rugby league’s oldest and biggest club derby.

Verdict:

Saints 36 Wigan 22.

St Helens Star:

Kyle Amor, sent off last Easter. Picture: Bernard Platt

ROUND 15:

Opposition: Widnes Vikings.

Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle.

Date: Saturday, May 19.

Kick off: 3pm (Sky).

SAINTS take on Widnes Vikings in the first Super League match of Magic Weekend, to be followed by Warrington Wolves versus Wigan Warriors and the 2017 Grand Final repeat of Castleford Tigers versus Leeds Rhinos.

Magic Weekend always provides an excellent spectacle as well as a carnival atmosphere among fans – many sporting fancy dress.

The event has been held in Newcastle every year since 2015 and has drawn in the three highest attendances since the ‘Magic’ began way back in 2007.

This clash will also mark the one-year anniversary of Justin Holbrook as head coach.

Verdict:

Saints 32 Vikings 6.

St Helens Star:

St James' Park, Newcastle. Picture: Mike Boden

ROUND 22:

Opposition: Wigan Warriors.

Venue: DW Stadium.

Date: Thursday, July 19.

Kick off: 7.45pm (Sky).

IN a rivalry as fierce as Saints versus Wigan it would be ludicrous not to include the return fixture at the DW Stadium in the penultimate game of the regular rounds.

With Super League 2018 anticipated to be the most competitive yet, the final games heading into the Super 8s will be crucial in an attempt to secure a top-four spot.

Both teams expect to be competing for silverware, so this match at the business end of the season is sure to have lots riding on it and should be a thriller.

Amazing how it falls nicely for the TV cameras too!

Verdict:

Wigan 22 Saints 22.

St Helens Star:

One of two stunning tries for Regan Grace on his Super League debut against Wigan in 2017. Picture: Bernard Platt

ROUND 23:

Opposition: Warrington Wolves.

Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium.

Date: Thursday, July 26.

Kick off: 7.45pm (Sky).

THE regular rounds end against a Wire side dubbed to go well under their new head coach Steve Price this season.

The two sides have a history of intense encounters and with this being the last chance to get an advantage heading into the Super 8s, you can guarantee this one will be a cracker.

This fixture always provides a great opportunity to sing “It’s Always Your Year” too.

Saints’ final two games are likely to be dress rehearsals for a Super 8s tie and even a semi-final after that.

Verdict:

Saints 20 Wolves 8.

St Helens Star:

Big Alex Walsley gets to grips with Warrington's Kevin Brown during a 2017 encounter with The Wire. Picture: Mike Boden