St. Helens

That attack in St Helens on 14 April 2019, which came very close to permanently blinding Mr Deakin, was carried out by hitman-for-hire Jonathan Gordon, a member of a north Liverpool street gang called the Deli Mob.

Gordon spoke about his earlier attack on Mr Deakin, complaining that the St Helens man had "got to the sink" to wash his face and save his eyesight.

The group includes the parents of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens, who was killed by a motorist driving at more than 80mph in a 30mph zone in 2017, in St Helens, Merseyside.

Last year's beaten finalists Warrington Wolves will host St Helens after beating Widnes Vikings, while 2023 champions Leigh Leopards will face Wakefield Trinity.

It may be helped, though, by the experience gained by English players who have moved to the NRLW: Roche plays her club rugby for Newcastle Knights, and Hollie-Mae Dodd for Canberra Raiders, while Paige Travis will start the coming season with Parramatta Eels, having switched from St Helens.