Hull FC v St Helens - Preview

Saints face a difficult test when they visit the KCom Stadium to take on Hull FC on Sunday (February 16, kick-off 3.00pm).

It has been a mixed start to the Kristian Woolf era at Saints. A thumping 48-8 win over Salford Red Devils promised much on the opening weekend. It looked as though Woolf’s version of the Saints would simply pick up where Justin Holbrook’s 2019 champions left off. Yet an error-strewn drubbing at Warrington in Round Two has exposed one or two insecurities among the fans in particular. Saints failed to score a single point in a 19-0 reverse at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and are now looking to get back into some form ahead of next week’s World Club Challenge meeting with Sydney Roosters.

Injuries played a part in that loss at Warrington and they threaten to do so again this week. Already without Lachlan Coote and James Roby, Saints lost Mark Percival for what is expected to be several months after being forced off early in the second half of the Wire defeat with a sternum and shoulder problem. Scans have revealed that he requires surgery and a lengthy spell on the sidelines. In his absence Matty Costello is likely to keep his place despite the prospect of Tommy Makinson seeing action for the first time in 2020 following shoulder surgery of his own.

Makinson has been included in Woolf’s 21-man squad and if fit will slot back into his regular right wing role. That will allow Kevin Naiqama to move back inside to play in the centres with Jack Welsby continuing to deputise for Coote at fullback. Regan Grace will complete the three-quarter line.

One of Saints’ biggest problems at Warrington was the late withdrawal of Alex Walmsley. The former Batley man injured a calf muscle in the warm-up but is deemed fit enough to take his place in the initial squad selection. Saints lacked their usual go-forward in the pack without Walmsley, that despite the best efforts of Luke Thompson, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Zeb Taia. Matty Lees and Jack Ashworth had disappointing nights but one or both will be needed again should Walmsley not make it. Kyle Amor is included and could make his first appearance of the season as Wolf weighs up his front row options. With Roby out expect Aaron Smith to start at hooker with the versatile James Bentley coming off the bench. There has been a suggestion also that either Bentley or Dominique Peyroux could cover Percival’s absence at centre. The final team selection will be instructive with Percival set to be missing for so long.

Another man hoping to make his first appearance of 2020 is Morgan Knowles. The Welsh international was named in the 21-man party last week but was not risked having been another victim of that Saints disease, the shoulder problem. If he starts then McCarthy-Scarsbrook may drop to the bench putting the inclusion in the match day 17 of Joseph Paulo or Jack Ashworth in doubt. Youngsters Tom Nisbet and Lewis Dodd are in the squad but despite the latter’s first half hat-trick for the reserves last weekend it would be a surprise to see either included on game day. The halfback pairing of Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages may have failed to ignite against Steve Price’s side but they are very much the established partnership at present.

Hull coach Lee Radford has been forced into four changes to his 21-man selection. The black and whites have opened the season with impressive wins over Leeds Rhinos and Hull KR but picked up a couple of suspensions and injuries in that derby win. Chris Satae and Albert Kelly fell foul of the disciplinary system while Bureta Fairamo and former Saint Andre Savelio picked up knocks which rule them out this week. Savelio will be especially disappointed not to face his old club having shown signs of his early career potential in the opening two games. Gareth Ellis isn’t a bad alternative to draft into your squad while the three remaining berths go to youngsters Connor Wynne, Kieron Buchanan and Charlie Patterson-Lund.

Despite Faraimo’s absence it is a formidable FC back line. Mahe Fonua, Ratu Naulago and another ex-Saint Adam Swift will all hope to feature though one looks set to miss out with Carlos Tuimavave and Josh Griffin in form in the centres. With Kelly out of the picture Marc Sneyd and Jake Connor should continue their halfback combination with Jamie Shaul in top form at fullback.

If fit Ellis will add quality and experience to a pack that already contains solid performers like Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Josh Bowden and yet another man who made his name in the red vee in the shape of Josh Jones. New signing Manu M’au is out but Ligi Sao, Masi Matongo, Brad Fash and Jordans Johnstone and Lane providing further options for Radford.

This meeting represents the first leg of the annual Steve Prescott Cup played between the two sides in memory of their former fullback who passed away in 2013. Saints will need to turn in a dramatically improved performance if they are to win here and get their Super League campaign back on track.

Squads;

St Helens;

Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Regan Grace, Theo Fages, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dominique Peyroux, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth, Joseph Paulo, Aaron Smith, James Bentley, Matty Costello, Jack Welsby, Lewis Dodd, Tom Nisbet

Hull FC;

Jamie Shaul, Carlos Tuimavave, Josh Griffin, Adam Swift, Jake Connor, Marc Sneyd, Scott Taylor, Danny Houghton, Josh Jones, Ligi Sao, Jordan Johnstone, Masi Matongo, Brad Fash, Jordan Lane, Mahe Fonua, Josh Bowden, Kieran Buchanan, Gareth Ellis, Ratu Naulago.

Referee: Liam Moore