Saints’ Final Charge begins this Saturday

St Helens interim head coach Eamon O'Carroll insists his side will continue fighting until the very end of the 2026 Betfred Super League season as they prepare for a must-win clash against Wakefield Trinity on Saturday.

Saints head into Round 23 and The Final Charge knowing victory is essential if they are to keep any realistic hopes of saving their season. Sitting six points adrift of the Play-Off places with just five matches remaining, the margin for error has all but disappeared.

Yet despite their position and a campaign disrupted by injuries and adversity, O'Carroll has challenged his players to embrace the battle ahead rather than accept their fate.

Asked whether there was still a desire within the squad to keep fighting during these closing weeks, O'Carroll said, in his pre-match press conference:

"If I got a hint that no one was up for the battle, they wouldn't be here." 

The Saints boss continued:

"We're better than that, we're much better than that. We're all honest men here and you play for your personal pride as well. There's a much bigger picture in that. There's no player in St Helens that isn't up for this fight."

That attitude will be required against a Trinity side O'Carroll believes has established themselves as a genuine force in 2026. Far from viewing Trinity as surprise contenders, the Saints coach praised the club's planning, recruitment and development since earning promotion at the back end of 2024:

"They're not a surprise at all," he said. "There's a lot to like about what they're doing. They've clearly got a very strong squad, a big powerful squad and they're well coached."

"I don't think it'll be a one-off with them. I think they're there to be at the top consistently."

There was also a boost for Saints ahead of the trip to Wakefield with experienced backs Deon Cross and Nene Macdonald returning to the squad.

O'Carroll admitted having additional senior bodies available has already lifted standards on the training field, while he believes supporters have yet to see the best of Macdonald following an injury-hit campaign:

"He's looking good, certainly a better version than the Nene that we've seen this year," O'Carroll said. "His knee is in good health and the medical staff have been fantastic with him." 

Alongside the returning experience, Saints have also continued to lean on their promising Academy talent. O'Carroll revealed he remains hugely encouraged by the youngsters who have been thrown into the first-team action in recent weeks.

"They're growing every day," he said. "They're under pressure in our practice and in games, but I think they're holding their own as well, which is really good.

“I think we've got a really good group. I know I'm moving on at the end of the year, but I feel positive that the club's going to be in a good position in the next couple of years with what's coming through.”

Whether Saints can mount a late charge towards the top six remains to be seen. Although it feels like one final chance this weekend, what is clear from O'Carroll's comments, however, is that surrender is not an option.

With their Play-Off hopes hanging by a thread, Saturday's showdown with Wakefield represents another opportunity to prove that the fight is still very much alive. 

Did you know that the Red V have never, ever missed out on the Play-Offs in the 30 years of Super League history? Could 2026 finally see that unwanted first become a reality, or will Saints find a way to maintain their remarkable record?

Never write off the Saints...

Watch St Helens travel to face Wakefield Trinity tomorrow (Saturday 15 August) live and exclusive on Sky Sports (K.O. 5.30pm).