ST HELENS are being written off completely by the bookmakers ahead of the club’s involvement in the NRL’s Pre-Season Challenge and World Club Challenge Down Under.
The Merseyside club have run riot in Super League in recent seasons, winning four Grand Finals in a row, but they have now gone to Australia to test themselves against the NRL for the first time during their title-winning success.
Each of the 17 NRL teams, including new side Dolphins as well as St Helens, will play two fixtures in what’s being dubbed as a Pre-Season Challenge. The team with the most points will win a $100,000 prize.
Saints take on the St George Illawarra Dragons on Saturday 11 February before going head to head with the NRL Premiers Penrith Panthers a week later.
However, Paul Wellens’ men are 50/1 outsiders to lift the Pre-Season Challenge Crown according to SkyBet – those odds are the largest of any side involved.
For context, the Panthers are 3/1 to win the tournament.
