St Helens have been gifted a huge chance to add a quick second try after the ball in knocked on from a searching long kick up field.

The chance, however, comes to nothing.

And within a minute, they find themselves back on their own line trying to keep Warrington out...

It’s an evening of significant personal milestone for a trio of faithful Saints servants.

Jonny Lomax is out there for his 350th Saints appearance, while it 350 career appearances for Tommy Makinson and 250 career appearances for Mark Percival.

Will they be able to mark the occasion with another famous win?

All three of them have helped give Saints the lead.

Lomax provided the pass for Makinson to score his try, with Percival then landing the conversion.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC One

Image source, SWPix

If there's any team that can be cool calm and collective it's St Helens.

How many times have we seen Jonny Lomax get that ball over? No one does it better.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

Have St Helens equalised?

It certainly looks like Tommy Makinson has pulled off a bit of a wonder effort in the corner.

The on-field call is that it is a try.

Sam Burgess’ Warrington side have come into this game as heavy favourites, having finished third and 10 points clear of St Helens in sixth.

Unlike their decorated rivals, however, they have never won a Super League title.

There is certainly a feeling of belief around the Halliwell Jones Stadium early on.

A penalty from the play of the ball for Saints as they try run it out of their half now has them pushing for that equalising try.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC Radio 5 Live

A very intense and aggressive start, both teams defending with a grunt.

It's been a physical start.

It’s worth saying early on this evening that no side has won Super League after coming into the play-offs ranked sixth.

St Helens, however, are nine-time Super League champions and will fancy trying to rewrite history after finishing sixth.

Amazingly, Saints are the only team to have played in every play-off series since the format was introduced in 1998.

Right now they are chasing a try, but some strongarm tactics from Luke Yates on Jack Welsby stops Saints' latest attack dead.

St Helens' Jon Bennison is a picture of calmness and composure as he ushers a ball over the byeline.

He was under pressure from Warrington chasers, but kept his head.

St Helens look to have settled well after the early setback, but they concede a penalty in Warrington's half which allows the hosts to kick for metres.

Warrington will now attack from within Saints' half.

So, what would victory mean for these sides tonight?

If Warrington prevail, then they will travel to Hull KR next week for their semi-final.

A St Helens win tees up a showdown with bitter rivals and League Leaders’ Shield winners Wigan Warriors.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC One

Smart play they opened up the space well, it was spread from one side to the other really well.

A confident start from the home side.

Warrington set the scrum just a few metres out, and they are immediately on the attack.

The ball is hoofed high and long by Warrington on this crisp autumn evening in at the Helliwell Jones Stadium.

There two teams are sure to hot things up in a hurry!

And there you have it, it's an error from St Helens from the kick as Tommy Makinson fumbles.

Matt Newsum
Commentator on BBC 5 Sports Extra

Image source, BBC Sport

Much like Salford last night, the fans have responded to the prospect of Super League play-off excitement with a resplendent turn-out at Warrington.

The Saints fans haven't always had much to shout about in 2024 but their section is heaving and noisy with it. Their team selection looks hearteningly orthodox again with all the big hitters about.

Warrington have mastered St Helens in league and cup meetings this year, at odds with the historic form, so there is confidence within their support.

Yet they have also felt the disappointment of the play-offs before. It is that nagging doubt which makes this game so interesting.

There's a chill in the air which always reminds us that it's getting on in the year and thus in rugby league - it's business time. But the temperature will rise once the two big packs go slamming into each other. Can't wait.

Warrington head acoh Sam Burgess has recalled Paul Vaughan, who is available for the first time in almost a month after serving a ban.

Fit-again Rodrick Tai starts, while Joe Philbin will come off the bench after also recovering from injury.

Warrington Wolves: Dufty, Thewlis, Tai, King, Ashton, Williams, Drinkwater, Yates, Walker, Musgrove, Bateman, Nicholson, Currie.

Interchanges: Powell, Harrison, Vaughan, Philbin.

St Helens boss Paul Wellens makes two changes to his starting side, with Alex Walmsley and Darryl Clark coming into the 13.

George Delaney and Jake Burns from to the bench.

St Helens: Welsby, Makinson, Mata'utia, Percival, Bennison, Lomax, Dodd, Walmsley, Clark, Lees Whitley, Batchelor, Knowles.

Interchanges: Bell, Paasi, Delaney, Burns

That St Helens reached the top six is an impressive feat for Paul Wellens' side given the sheer number of injuries they have had this season.

Formerly the dominant side in Super League, Saints' reign came to an end last term as Wigan took their crown, with absences making parts of the 2024 campaign a struggle.

However, Wellens says he has a more optimistic outlook for the short trip to Warrington.

"In terms of the health of the squad we're probably in as good a position as we have been for some time," he told BBC Sport.

"That's encouraging, knowing that we're going into an important game for us."

Image source, swpix.com

It has been an impressive first season in coaching for rugby league legend Sam Burgess.

Under Burgess' stewardship, the Wire reached the Challenge Cup final, where they were beaten by Wigan, but he has guided them to a third-place finish and this play-off eliminator tie against St Helens.

"We understand there's more at stake now but we've spent the past 10 months building our game and identity," he told BBC Sport.

"Nothing will change too much - there's just more on the line, but we'll handle the pressure of that and look forward to having another three weeks together and getting our performances on the field as best as we can."

Image source, PA Media

Leigh Leopards winger Josh Charnley has been released from hospital, less than 24 hours after he suffered a neck injury during his side's play-off win at Salford Red Devils.

Charnley, who scored a decisive try before being injured, posted on his Instagram page on Saturday to confirm his departure from hospital.

"Thanks for all your messages. I'm on my way home from having the all clear," he said.

"Staff at Salford Royal were class. Thanks to my medical team for looking after me. Great win."