Leigh Leopards delivered a crushing 48‑10 victory over St Helens, ensuring that the Saints missed the Super League play‑offs for the first time in their storied history. The win, combined with Hull KR's dominant 36‑6 triumph over Huddersfield, locked in the top‑six positions for Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR.
As a result, St Helens finished seventh, ending their campaign without a chance to compete for a Grand Final berth—a record low for the club in the modern era. The significance of St Helens' failure cannot be overstated. It marks the first occasion since the 1964‑65 season that the defending champions have not qualified for the post‑season.
The disappointment follows a turbulent year that saw the club part ways with head coach Paul Rowley after less than twelve months at the helm. Looking ahead, the Saints will welcome Australian national coach Kevin Walters in 2027, hoping his expertise can restore the team to its former trophy‑winning ways. Meanwhile, in East Hull, Willie Peters enjoyed a fitting farewell.
The 47‑year‑old head coach guided Hull KR to a play‑off‑clinching win before departing for the new NRL franchise PNG Hunters in 2027. His final home game was a celebratory affair, with the team confirming their place among the league's elite despite the knowledge that they will not host a home fixture in the upcoming play‑off rounds.
The match at the Progress with Unity Stadium began with a simple objective for St Helens: secure a win and keep their slim play‑off hopes alive. Early chances fell away due to handling errors and a thin bench, allowing Leigh to seize the initiative. Within the first fifteen minutes, Josh Charnley capitalized on a well‑placed kick, scoring a try that coincided with his contract extension announcement. Shortly after, Innes Senior broke through the left edge, and a swift pass to David Armstrong resulted in a second Leigh try, establishing a 12‑0 lead.
St Helens attempted a comeback through a series of set‑piece moves. Tristan Sailor delivered a clever flick pass to Jacob Douglas, who dived over in the corner. A subsequent team try saw Sailor draw defenders on the left before offloading to Harry Robertson on the right, who fended off a tackle and sprinted to the line.
The conversion by the Saints' kicker narrowed the gap to 12‑10, briefly reviving hopes. Leigh, however, responded almost immediately. Senior ripped another line break down the left, feeding Umyla Hanley through a massive gap created when Matty Evans was forced out of the play by Adam Cook. The try, followed by a successful conversion, restored Leigh's momentum.
Just before halftime, Cook intercepted a speculative pass from Edwin Ipape, sprinted under the posts and added the extra points, sending Leigh into the break with a comfortable 24‑10 lead. The second half deteriorated further for St Helens. Centre Percival was sin‑binned for a high tackle, prompting a chorus of applause from the crowd as he announced his impending retirement as a club legend. With the Saints down a man, Ipape powered over from close range, and Cook's conversion pushed Leigh's advantage to 30‑10 with only fifteen minutes remaining.
St Helens' defense continued to crumble. Hanley crossed the line for a second time as three defenders failed to bring him down, and Jacob Alick‑Wiencke added another try, extending the margin to 42‑10. The home supporters sang "Saints are falling apart again" as the conversion sealed the score.
In the final moments, rain pouring over the pitch, Robbie Mulhern celebrated his 100th appearance by scoring a try, adding two more points to bring the final tally to 48‑10. The Leopards celebrated their triumph while St Helens were left to reflect on a night that will be remembered as a low point in their illustrious history.
Hull KR's victory over Huddersfield also carried emotional weight. Coach Willie Peters, who steered the club to a historic treble and a World Club Challenge title last season, confirmed his departure to the PNG Hunters.
Despite securing a top‑six finish, the Rovers will not enjoy a home advantage in either of the two play‑off rounds, a fact that adds a layer of challenge to their upcoming campaign. Elsewhere, the league saw a mix of results. Toulouse defeated Hull KR 44‑30 in France, with Henry O'Kane scoring two tries and Cesar Rouge contributing a try, six conversions and two penalties. Hull KR fought back in the second half, with captain Aidan Sezer and Lewis Martin each crossing the line, but the French side's late scores proved decisive.
Looking ahead, Hull KR will travel to Leeds Rhinos for their final regular‑season fixture, while St Helens must regroup under the guidance of their incoming Australian coach. The season's narrative underscores the volatility of the Super League, where historic powerhouses can stumble, and emerging clubs like Leigh Leopards can seize the moment to rewrite the league's hierarchy.