TOP-four chasing Saints make the short trip down the East Lancs Road on Friday to enter a Leopards’ den that has been far from a happy hunting ground in recent times.
With Leigh needing to win to make the top six, and Saints looking for the two points to secure a home play-off spot, it is a game that will have the crackle of knockout intensity.
And adding emotion that mix will be the home farewells for departing skipper John Asiata, prop Tom Amone, second row Kai O’Donnell and centre Zak Hardaker.
Saints, who were thumped 46-4 by the Leopards in July, have named a strong squad – and go into the game buoyed by an eight-try win over Castleford.
Although the target of a fourth-place finish would seem to be a low bar for a club like Saints - given the magnitude of the injuries that ripped through the squad in summer, and subsequent dip in form, it would represent an against the odds achievement.
Coach Paul Wellens said: “It would be a great achievement for this playing group given the way this year we’ve been challenged in ways that we’ve never been challenged before.
“We have been a team that finished third on points difference last year but in the previous years we have always been around the top two.
“So it it’s been a different experience but I love the way the group have stuck together through tough times.
“I love the way young players have come in and really put their hand up for the team.
“It represents a success in some way, but from a St Helens perspective we’d love to be fighting it out higher up the table.”
Arguably Leigh have more riding on this game – as their season will be over with a defeat, but for Saints the choice is finish fourth and a home tie against Salford or lose and travel to Warrington.
“I think both teams will be approaching this as if it is a play-off game.
“It’s a very important game for both teams to give ourselves a chance in the playoffs.
“I’m sure that game is going to be a really high quality, high intensity game and that’s exactly what rugby league needs, but probably what both teams need as well,” Wellens said.
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