Leigh Leopards delivered a crushing 48‑10 victory over St Helens, a result that sealed the Saints' first ever exclusion from the Super League play‑offs. The defeat, combined with Hull Kingston Rovers' dominant 36‑6 win against Huddersfield, locked in the top‑six positions for Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, Leigh Leopards and Hull KR. St Helens consequently finished seventh, ending their campaign without a chance to contest a Grand Final berth and marking the lowest point in the club's Super League history. The Saints' historic miss‑out is the first time they have failed to qualify for the top‑flight post‑season since the 1964/65 season.
The disappointment follows a turbulent year that saw head coach Paul Rowley dismissed after less than twelve months in charge. Looking ahead, the club will welcome Australian national coach Kevin Walters in 2027, with the expectation that his experience will help restore the once four‑in‑a‑row champions to a competitive footing. In East Hull, the atmosphere was markedly different. Willie Peters, who is set to depart for the new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs in 2027, concluded what is likely his final home game as Hull KR head coach with a play‑off‑clinching triumph.
The 36‑6 victory over Huddersfield not only guaranteed a top‑six finish but also underscored the Rovers' continued strength after last season's historic treble and World Club Challenge success. The match at the Progress with Unity Stadium began with St Helens needing a win to keep their slim play‑off hopes alive. Early chances were squandered through unforced errors, and a thin bench left the Saints vulnerable.
Leigh quickly capitalised on the Saints' missteps. Within the first fifteen minutes, Josh Charnley capitalised on a well‑placed kick to score, celebrating his contract extension with the club. Shortly after, Innes Senior burst downfield, linking with David Armstrong for a try that gave Leigh a 12‑0 lead.
St Helens responded through a series of set‑piece moves. Tristan Sailor delivered a flick pass to Jacob Douglas, who dived over in the corner. A subsequent team try saw Sailor shift left, pass to Harry Robertson on the right, and a supporting full‑back finish the play, followed by a conversion that narrowed the gap to 12‑10. Leigh, however, restored their advantage within three minutes.
Senior attacked the left edge again, this time finding Umyla Hanley, who exploited a defensive lapse to score. Matty Evans attempted a tackle but was beaten, and the conversion pushed the score to 18‑10.
Before halftime, Adam Cook intercepted a speculative pass from Edwin Ipape, kicked the ball under the posts and added the conversion, extending Leigh's lead to 24‑10 at the break. The second half deteriorated further for St Helens. Veteran centre Percival was sin‑binned for a high tackle, prompting a chorus of applause from the Saints' supporters as he announced his impending retirement.
With St Helens down a man for nearly two minutes, Ipape powered over from close range, and Cook's conversion made it 30‑10. Leigh's defence continued to dominate. Hanley added a second try after breaking through a disorganised Saints line, while Jacob Alick‑Wiencke capitalised on a loose ball to increase the margin.
The home crowd sang “Saints are falling apart again” as Cook's subsequent conversion pushed the score to 42‑10. In the final minutes, despite rain pouring down, Robbie Mulhern celebrated his 100th appearance by scoring a try, and the extra points sealed a 48‑10 victory for Leigh.
The Leopards celebrated a night that will be remembered for their emphatic win, while St Helens were left to contemplate a season that ended in disappointment. Hull KR's triumph was equally significant. Coach Willie Peters, now 47, guided the Rovers to a decisive win that confirmed their play‑off spot, though they will not host a home game in either of the two initial play‑off rounds.
Early first‑half tries from Elliot Minchella, Arthur Mourgue and Jack Broadbent broke St Helens' three‑match losing streak and demonstrated why Hull KR remain a force despite the absence of star winger Mikey Lewis, who is set to return from suspension for the final regular‑season game. Elsewhere, Huddersfield, having shed the label of “top‑flight pushovers,” entered the match on a five‑win streak from their last six under Jim Lenihan, but were unable to halt Hull KR's momentum.
In a separate fixture, Hull FC suffered a 44‑30 loss to Toulouse in France despite a spirited comeback. Henry O'Kane scored two tries, while Cesar Rouge contributed a try, six conversions and two penalties, securing a home victory for the hosts in their final home game of the season.
Hull FC's second‑half resurgence featured two tries from Lewis Martin and a double from captain Aidan Sezer, but Toulouse responded with two more tries to maintain control. The French side will host Leeds Rhinos in the final round of the regular Betfred Super League season. In another high‑scoring encounter, O'Kane opened the scoring for Hull FC with a try in the sixth minute, later adding a second after a quick pass to Luke Polselli and a close‑range effort from James Roumanos.
By half‑time, Hull led 30‑0, with Paul Ulberg crossing after a pass from Mathieu Jussaume. After the break, Martin and Sezer added points, and Logan Moy narrowed the deficit to 30‑16 before the hour mark. Rouge answered with a try eight minutes later, and Olly Ashall‑Bott's late score sealed the win for Toulouse. Overall, the final round of fixtures cemented the play‑off picture, with Leigh and Hull KR joining Leeds, Wigan and Warrington in the top six.
The Saints' historic miss‑out underscores the volatility of the Super League and sets the stage for a rebuilding phase under new leadership. Sky Sports will broadcast every Super League match this season, with two games each round shown exclusively live and the remaining fixtures available on Sky Sports+.