12:33pm Monday 16th November 2009
SAINTS will face Wigan in a friendly over the festive period, it has been announced today.
The fixture will take place at Knowsley Road's GPW Recruitment Stadium on Sunday, December 27 (kick off 3pm).
In a press release today Saints said both clubs are expected to field a "blend of experience and youth as Saints’ Mick Potter and Wigan’s Michael Maguire look to begin their pre-season preparations in earnest".
Tickets for match will go on sale shortly with adults priced £15 for the Hattons Solicitors Stand and £12 for ground and kids £10 and £5 respectively.
Adult tickets will increase by £3 on matchday.
In a statement, coach Mick Potter said: “I know this fixture was a traditional meeting between the two sides in the past and I’m hoping the fans will come and support the teams as they prepare for the new season.
“We will be fielding a blend of youth and some more experienced players and will hope for a good start to our pre-season campaign.”
Wigan's new boss Michael Maguire said: “We have a tough pre-season training scheduled planned but we are also looking forward to getting some game action.
“The match against St Helens will give me the opportunity to see the players in competitive action for the first time and will be a good physical test for the boys.
"I’ve already been told about the rivalry between the two clubs, and whilst it’s only a pre-season game I’m sure there will still be a big crowd to see a tough hit out.
“During the course of our trial games I’ll be able to try out some combinations and look at the whole squad so that we are fully prepared come the first weekend of the competition.”
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