Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

St Helens need to come out, keep it tight, finish their sets. They've not executed properly.

They need to do it in this 40 minutes or their season's over.

A pretty uninspired set from St Helens and Hull KR see it out without too much fuss.

And when they have a set, Mikey Lewis hits a lovely low kick into the wind that turns Saints round again.

Hull KR get us under way in this second period.

St Helens start, as they did for most of the first half, deep in their own territory.

As we await the second half, it is awards night for rugby league on Tuesday when we discover who is the 2025 Man of Steel.

Hull KR star Mikey Lewis is looking for a repeat after winning it in 2024, with the other two contenders being Wigan Warriors full-back Jai Field and Jake Connor of Leeds Rhinos.

Kevin Brown
Former England international on BBC Two

Image source, PA Media

It seems to be all put on Jack Welsby when he is put on the ball he gets picked off by the full back.

Mike McMeeken
Wakefield Trinity second row on BBC Two

It's all about field position and at the moment Hull KR are dominating and St Helens can't get out of their own half.

They haven't even attacked the Hull KR line yet.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

Hull KR have had a great first half. They've dominated for the opening 40 minutes but 12 points isn't enough.

We saw it last week, all Saints need is a bit of emotional energy. They'll have the wind on their backs and they'll hope they have the wind at their sails.

Image source, SWPix

One-way traffic and on this evidence, Hull KR will be heading across the Pennines to Old Trafford next Saturday for the Grand Final.

Tries from Mikey Lewis and Joe Burgess doing the damage in a half that has been played mostly in St Helens territory.

The one good thing for Saints is that they are only two converted scores down.

Mikey Lewis goes for a drop goal off the last tackle.

He has the wind at his back as he tries it from just inside the Saints half, but he's a good five yards off target.

The hosts have the ball back and they have time for one last attack in this half.

St Helens need the sanctuary of the dressing room.

No try for the big Kiwi.

Jack Welsby does enough to stop Peta Hiku getting that ball down for a clean try and he is short.

A crucial intervention from Welsby.

Hull KR going for the jugular and it's centre Peta Hiku leading the charge.

He goes for the line, but has he been held up by Jack Welsby short of the line?

Hull KR complete their set with another good kick deep into Saints territory.

This is perfect play-off rugby league - let your opponents try to play miles from your own line.

Hull KR won both of the league meetings between the two sides this season, 20-10 away from home in April and then 12-8 here at the end of August.

St Helens will need something special to turn this one round from what we've seen in the opening 30-odd minutes.

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

The wind has definitely picked up since kick-off.

Full-back Arthur Mourgue has safe hands in blustery conditions under a high kick and Hull KR have the ball back.

That is so reassuring from a Hull KR perspective.

A great call from Jonny Lomax!

Mikey Lewis is judged to have swiped the ball out of Harry Robertson's grasp and it goes forward.

St Helens now have the chance to get out of their own territory.

A brilliant kick from Jez Litten on the last tackle and there is an excellent kick-chase from his team-mates.

Saints have to start their set in their own 22 and Harry Robertson loses the ball under pressure from Mikey Lewis.

The referee calls it a knock-on, but the visitors are using their captain's challenge.

An error from Hull KR!

It comes from Oliver Gildart as he can't take a pass cleanly, otherwise it probably would have been a third try for the Robins.

Much better to make a mistake in that position though than in their own half.

More bad news for St Helens as Jon Bennison has failed a head injury assessment.

A bit of a rejig for Saints required as Tristan Sailor moves to wing, Jack Welsby drops to full-back and Moses Mbye takes the job in the half-backs.

Saints, quite literally, are being battered in this opening half in east Hull.