Justin Holbrook’s side remain six points clear at the top of the BetFred Super League table going into Round 20 after an exciting if not totally convincing 34-30 win over Wakefield Trinity last time out. A win over bottom club Widnes would edge Saints just that little bit further towards capturing the scandalously under-valued League Leaders Shield for the first time since 2014 when they also went on to win the Grand Final.
Holbrook never under-estimates anyone, at least not publicly, so Widnes’ recent woeful form will not be a reason to take the foot off the pedal. The side coached temporarily by Francis Cummins following the departure of Denis Betts have not won in the league since the end of March. Meanwhile Saints haven't lost since going down narrowly at Wakefield in mid April. Despite that it could be argued that Saints need a performance as much for their own confidence as for the two points. They have been slightly scratchy in narrow wins over Leeds Rhinos and Trinity in their last two league encounters and against Hull FC in the Challenge Cup. The swagger of earlier in the season is less visible so it would be good to make a statement to the other contenders that Saints are still the team to beat in 2018.
To that end Holbrook has made three changes to his 19-man squad from that which were on duty against Trinity. Matty Smith played on dual registration for Sheffield Eagles last weekend, as did Adam Swift, but only the latter has made the cut having missed out in recent weeks. Smith’s omission from the 19 is something of a surprise and may or may not be related to the fact that he has been heavily linked with the Vikings in recent weeks. The former Wigan man has found it difficult to break into the Saints side this year with Jonny Lomax and Danny Richardson operating so well in the halves and Theo Fages adding another dimension off the bench. It would be no surprise to see Smith’s third Saints stint end sooner rather than later.
There were fears over Ben Barba’s fitness after he left the Wakefield game early with a knee injury. The Aussie star sustained the injury while making a trademark break from inside his own half. Despite his attempts to play on through the pain he was causing more harm than good by the mid-point of the second half. His withdrawal was the best thing for all concerned. Yet he is named in the 19 and will play if Holbrook is convinced he is fit to do so. The Saints boss doesn’t seem to be someone who rests players for the sake of it. Barba has again been yawn-inducingly linked with a move back to Cronulla amid some warble about Valentine Holmes moving to Brisbane, but it remains to be seen whether there is any merit in this or whether it is just the wishful thinking of an NRL-centric Australian media.
If Barba plays that locks Lomax and Richardson in the halves but there will be a change in the three-quarters where Ryan Morgan will be absent following a head knock against Wakefield. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook filled in during that game but should not be required to do so here. Swift’s recall may allow Tommy Makinson to move to centre where he impressed for a spell earlier in the season. If Holbrook prefers not to move Makinson from the wing he can look to Matty Costello who is recalled and has shown promise in the early stages of his Saints career. Regan Grace is coming in off the back of a two-try performance and will again hope to add to his tally outside the outstanding Mark Percival.
Kyle Amor’s return is a welcome one. Unless you are the luckless Jack Ashworth who misses out as a result. Ashworth is 23 years old now and reaching the point where if he cannot secure more first team rugby then a move may be on the cards. That would be a shame given his potential, but with Matty Lees also ahead of him in the pecking order Ashworth has it all to do to convince Holbrook to give him a run at prop. Oh for the days when he was a centre.
Back to Amor, and there is a school of thought which suggests that Saints have been struggling up front in recent weeks. Already without the devastating metre-eater that is Alex Walmsley, Amor’s absence deprived Saints of some vital experience in the front row. Lees and McCarthy-Scarsbrook held their own in Amor’s absence but you just feel that the Cumbrian may add a little bit more industry and reliability to the pack. Luke Thompson and the greenest of evergreens James Roby will likely complete the starting trio in the trenches, while Zeb Taia and Dominique Peyroux continue to impress in the second row. Jon Wilkin will share loose forward duties with Welsh international Morgan Knowles.
And so to Widnes. Hapless, middle eight-bound, comedy club Widnes. They have had a better week this week, first of all putting in an admirable display despite going down 31-24 at Hull FC, and then pooh-poohing any talk of financial woes with the capture of former Wigan
The result here then is less important for the Vikings than the manner of their performance, arguably at least. Absentees include Patrick Ah Van, Lloyd White, Hep Cahill, Chris Dean and Greg Burke but there is still plenty for Saints to think about in this Widnes squad. Rhys Hanbury is a fine try-scoring support player at fullback while Inu, Stefan Marsh and Charly Runciman have pace in the backs. There could be a part to play for 19 year-old winger Owen Buckley. As we are all gripped with World Cup fever, consider the fact that Buckley was not born when David Beckham flicked a boot in the general direction of Diego Simeone in France to scupper the hopes of disabled rights campaigner Glenn Hoddle and his side. Joe Mellor has been linked with a move to Warrington this week but for now should take his place in the halves alongside Tom Gilmore or Danny Craven.
The Widnes pack also has some handy operators, not least the St.Helens born Matt Whitley in the second row and the inventive Weller Hauraki signed recently from Salford Red Devils. Chris Houston returns after another ref-related spell on the side-lines with Tom Olbison, Gil Dudson and Aaron Heremaia all set to feature.
Cummins has to find a way to build his side’s confidence ahead of the tests to come in August and a credible performance at the home of the side currently topping the table by a distance should provide that. Whether it will be enough to see them past a stuttering but still formidable Saints outfit is questionable. Two or three changes may be necessary for Saints but that will probably not halt them in their stride and I expect Holbrook’s men to come out on top in this one by three or four scores.
Squads;
St Helens;
1. Jonny Lomax, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Adam Swift, 6. Theo Fages, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 18. Danny Richardson, 19. Regan Grace, 20. Matty Lees, 23. Ben Barba, 30. Matty Costello.
Widnes Vikings;
1. Rhys Hanbury, 2. Stefan Marsh, 3. Krisnan Inu, 4. Charly Runciman, 6. Joe Mellor, 7. Tom Gilmore, 8. Gil Dudson, 10. Alex Gerrard, 11. Chris Houston, 12. Matt Whitley, 15. Danny Craven, 16. Tom Olbison, 17. Sam Wilde, 20. Macgraff Leuluai, 23. Danny Walker, 25. Jay Chapelhow, 33. Aaron Heremaia, 39. Weller Hauraki, 40. Owen Buckley.
Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
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