Royce Simmons will lead St Helens out for their sixth straight Super League Grand Final appearance on Saturday, hoping to crown a successful first season in the competition with a victory.
Simmons has steered Saints through an injury crisis to a third-place finish in the table and overseen two play-off victories over arch rivals Wigan. His side are 8/13 with bookmaker to beat Leeds at Old Trafford and avenge the defeats they have suffered in each of the last four Grand Finals.
“I can’t really hide my excitement to be honest. I try to keep things under wraps but I’m absolutely ecstatic to be taking Saints to Old Trafford. The boys have really deserved it this season and have battled through some real adversity,” said Simmons, who replaced Mick Potter as head coach after spending time as assistant coach with Wests Tigers.
“Fair credit to Wigan. They’re a champion club and they showed it on Saturday. Michael Maguire and his chairman were gracious in defeat and wished us the best for Old Trafford. It was a tremendous semi-final but somebody had to lose.”
