Saints v Halifax - Preview

Have you ever waited 11 years for anything? Maybe an item of post that isn’t a bill or a dental appointment, a genuinely engaging performance by Johnny Depp or perhaps a truly original reality TV series that isn’t exclusively populated by what Charlie Brooker once called ‘look-at-me-turdholes’

If you have, Saints know how you feel as their wait for a first Challenge Cup final appearance since 2008 goes on. They have a gilt-edged, gift-wrappped, delivered by Fedex opportunity to end that wait this Saturday when they take on Halifax in the Coral Challenge Cup semi-final at the University Of Bolton Stadium (July 27, kick-off 4.30pm).

Saints coach Justin Holbrook caused seven kinds of uproar in sending a scratch side to go out and get murdered by London Broncos last weekend, and has predictably made several changes to his 19-man squad for this one. Lachlan Coote has a knee injury which he sustained in the July 12 win over Wigan but all of Johnny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby and Luke Thompson return to the fold for this one.

Coote’s fullback role had been occupied by Jack Welsby at London and despite the defeat there the smart money was on Holbrook retaining the youngster in the role. However, Welsby has not made the selection which leaves Lomax as the most likely candidate to replace the Scotland international who has lit Saints up post-Barba. Makinson has some experience at fullback but with Adam Swift not named there is no obvious alternative to fill Makinson’s right-wing slot should Holbrook make that switch, so expect him to stay put to form a strong-looking three-quarter line alongside Naiqama, Percival and Regan Grace in front of Lomax. Danny Richardson will therefore probably retain his place in the halves, but it will be Fages who is most likely to partner him after Joseph Paulo had what used be referred to as a ‘Wilkin’ at Trailfinders. Which is perhaps a little unfair given the cast of characters that Paulo was asked to work alongside. With no fewer than 12 of what you would call Saints first choice 17 not on duty that day it was always going to be difficult for Paulo to make the proverbial silk purse from a sow’s ear. Though there was a pig’s ear in there somewhere, for sure.

Saints’ pack will also be formidable. Roby has not been seen since Saints less embarrassing golden point defeat at London in early June and with Aaron Smith not named that is an indicator that the veteran hooker is fit enough to start. Backing him up should be James Bentley who produced some great performances in the role during Roby’s absence. As things stand, he may have forced his way up the pecking order and into the role of Roby understudy. England props Walmsley and Thompson will also return, leaving Matty Lees to be content with a place on the bench alongside Bentley, one of Kyle Amor and Jack Ashworth as well as irrepressible card-magnet Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Morgan Knowles is named despite suggestions that he has a slight knock, while Paulo should also feature in the back three along with Peyroux. Matty Costello will hope to challenge for a place on the bench unless there is a doubt about the fitness of one of the backs.

Halifax’s main injury concern surrounds ageless stand-off Scott Murrell. He has been named in coach Simon Grix’s 19-man squad despite suffering whiplash in his side’s 28-28 draw with Championship on Sunday (July 21). Draws. Remember those? Elsewhere in the Fax Machine (I got that from the 1987 Challenge Cup Final programme, no really) former Catalans and Hull KR back rower or hooker Kevin Larroyer stands out while Will Sharp and Ben Kavanaugh are two more with fairly recent Super League experience. James Woodburn-Hall has been on the radar of many Super League clubs this year after some impressive performances at centre while his partner in that department is none other than former Saint Steve Tyrer. The 30-year-old was born in St.Helens before making his debut for the club in 2007, and says he will be at Wembley for the final regardless of the result in this one. Tyrer is now Halifax’s record points scorer with 1632 points since joining them in 2012 following spells with Widnes (three times) Celtic Crusaders and Salford. Reaching this final would probably top anything that he has achieved so far, even if it would severely interfere with his ability to enjoy the final with a beer in his hand.

Halifax’s cup run is all the more surprising for the fact that they have struggled somewhat in the league this season. They sit only eighth in a Championship that has been dominated by Toronto Wolfpack. Nevertheless they would have expected better from a campaign that has seen them record only nine league wins from 22 outings, with 12 defeats and that draw with Dewsbury last time out. They started the campaign with current Saints assistant coach Richard Marshall in charge but he was rather harshly dismissed in April after a four-year spell in which he led the side to the old Super 8s Qualifiers three times. It was not long before he was snapped up by Saints to replace Sean Long after he received an offer from rugby union. Halifax’s loss could yet turn out to be very much Saints’ gain, with emotions running high no doubt for him against his old side in such a monumental game for the West Yorkshire side.

Anyone predicting anything other than a Saints win has not been paying much attention to the form of these two sides this term. Despite last week’s setback, a different Saints side (quite literally in most positions) will approach this one and it would be an indescribable shock if we see anything other than an end to that tortuous 11-year wait for a day out at Wembley. Saints by 40.

Squads;

St Helens;

1. Jonny Lomax 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Theo Fages 7. Danny Richardson 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 10. Luke Thompson 12. Joseph Paulo 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 15. Morgan Knowles 16. Kyle Amor 17. Dominique Peyroux 19. Matty Lees 20. Jack Ashworth 22. James Bentley 24. Matty Costello.

Halifax;

Ed Barber, Chester Butler, Cooper, Jacob Fairbank, Ben Johnston, Ben Kavanagh, Ben Kaye, Kevin Larroyer, Brandon Moore, Elliot Morris, Scott Murrell, Shaun Robinson, James Saltonstall, Will Sharp, Adam Tangata, Steve Tyrer, James Woodburn-Hall.

Referee: Chris Kendall