Percival and Lomax bow out as Saints beat Hull KR

St Helens brought the curtain down on their 2026 Super League campaign in fitting fashion at the Totally Wicked Stadium, securing a hard-fought victory over Hull KR that ensured departing legends Mark Percival and Jonny Lomax bowed out on a triumphant high. The dynamic duo, who have amassed over 600 combined appearances and multiple Grand Final rings for the Merseyside club, delivered influential performances in their final red and white jerseys. Head coach Paul Wellens praised the departing veterans for their unwavering commitment, as a passionate home crowd rose to salute two modern-day icons who helped define an era of unmatched dominance in elite northern hemisphere rugby league.

The fixture carried immense significance for both outfits, with Hull KR continuing their impressive recent evolution under Willie Peters while St Helens sought redemption after a fiercely competitive playoff race. Percival, renowned for his lethal centre play and prolific try-scoring exploits since making his debut in 2013, combined brilliantly alongside Lomax, whose supreme playmaking intelligence and kicking game have guided Saints through numerous championship battles. Historically, clashes between these two clubs have rarely failed to deliver drama, and this encounter lived up to that billing, featuring bone-crunching defence, tactical ingenuity, and the trademark resilience that both squads have proudly displayed throughout the rigorous twenty-seven-round regular season.

As the final whistle blew on their illustrious careers, the emotional farewell set the stage for a transitional winter at St Helens as the recruitment team prepares for the challenges of the upcoming campaign. With Lomax and Percival leaving massive voids in leadership and skill, the club's emerging young talent will need to step up rapidly to maintain their perennial status as championship contenders. Meanwhile, Hull KR will take significant encouragement from their overall trajectory this season, utilizing this high-stakes defeat as crucial learning material as they build toward their ultimate ambition of lifting the Super League trophy in the near future.