Saints look to build on their excellent restart to the 2020 Super League campaign when they take on Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Sunday (August 9, kick-off 6.30pm).
Kristian Woolf’s side looked extremely impressive in their first outing following the lockdown, brushing aside Catalans Dragons 34-6 in Leeds a week ago. Now they return to face a Rhinos side that despite the continued absence of fans will be somewhat more familiar with the surroundings. They’ll also face a side that sits top of the table going into this weekend’s fixtures. Saints remain two points behind Richard Agar’s side having played a game more. In a season shortened by the pandemic this is very close to a must-win even at this relatively early stage of proceedings.
Woolf has named exactly the same 21-man squad that was on duty ahead of the Catalans game, although the final match day 17 may undergo a few tweaks. Matty Lees and Dominique Peyroux missed out last week with illness and a muscle injury respectively but could be in line for a return to action. It looks like a straight choice between Lees and James Graham for the starting prop berth alongside Alex Walmsley, while Peyroux will hope to renew his successful second row partnership with last week’s standout Zeb Taia. That would be harsh on James Bentley, who stepped in for Peyroux against the Dragons to deliver a try and 46 tackles.
Along with Walmsley, Morgan Knowles and James Roby look the other certain starters in the pack all things being equal. With Lees and Peyroux back in contention Joe Batchelor’s spot in the 17 looks vulnerable while one of Kyle Amor and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook may also miss out so that back-up hooker Aaron Smith can be accommodated. Alternatively Woolf could select both Irish international props and rely on the versatile Bentley to provide the cover for Roby.
The backs are fairly settled. Lachlan Coote should continue at fullback after his two-try effort last time out. Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace are established on the wings with centres Kevin Naiqama and Mark Percival completing the threequarter line. Jonny Lomax and Theo Fages pull the strings in midfield as youngster Lewis Dodd awaits his first Super League opportunity. The squad is completed by youngster Jack Welsby who after impressing in his early first team outings is going through a more challenging period in his development. In a busy season with a congested schedule later on you get the feeling his time will come again before too long.
Leeds’ restart meeting with Huddersfield Giants last week was one of the more remarkable Super League games in recent years. The Rhinos looked extinct at 26-6 down with just 12 minutes remaining, but staged an epic four-try comeback to take it to extra-time at 26-26 before winning it with Luke Gale’s golden point drop-goal in that extra period. That they managed to turn it around with Ash Handley in the sin-bin for dissent is all the more astonishing. They deserve full credit for the turnaround but Giants coach Simon Woolford will know that no side should lose a game from the position they were in.
Agar has had to make two changes to his 21-man selection due to injury. James Donaldson was stretchered off during the Giants win with a back injury and misses out despite hopes that the damage is not as serious as first thought. Yet perhaps the biggest miss for Leeds will be that of former Gold Coast Titans centre Konrad Hurrell who has a hamstring problem. Hurrell is a major attacking weapon on Leeds’ left edge and showed that when he bagged two tries in last weekend’s miracle comeback. Handley, Alex Mellor, Rhyse Martin, Rhys Evans and Briscoe brothers Tom and Luke are among the candidates to fill the void in the centres alongside the now permanent fixture that is Harry Newman. Richie Myler is fit to play despite suffering a head knock last week. Myler could continue at fullback with young star Jack Walker still unavailable. That will enable the dangerously unpredictable Robert Lui to continue his halfback partnership with Gale.
If Martin or Mellor move to the back line then Cameron Smith could come into the back row along with Matt Prior. Ava Seumanafagai and Mikolaj Oledzki are in line to start at prop with chief offloader Adam Cuthbertson backing them up. Youngster Tom Holroyd could also get an opportunity in the front row rotation. The Rhinos are strong at hooker where the speedy and industrious pair of Brad Dwyer and Kruise Leeming represent one of the league’s best duos in the position.
Leeds’ only defeat this season came all the way back on opening day in February when they were routed 30-4 by Hull FC. There was no sign then of the sort of form that would see them hand out shellackings to Warrington, Hull KR and Toronto and also see off Salford with something to spare before the shutdown. They were somewhat less impressive during the restart but found a way to win almost despite themselves. They are a genuine threat, but spurred on by the consequences of defeat I expect an in form Saints to edge this one by a couple of scores. Saints by 12.
Squads;
Leeds Rhinos;
2. Tom Briscoe 3. Harry Newman 5. Ash Handley 6. Robert Lui 7. Luke Gale 8. Ava Seumanafagai 9. Kruise Leeming 10. Matt Prior 11. Alex Mellor 12. Rhyse Martin 14. Brad Dwyer 16. Richie Myler 17. Adam Cuthbertson 19. Mikolaj Oledzki 21. Rhys Evans 22. Cameron Smith 23. Callum McLelland 24. Luke Briscoe 26. Alex Sutcliffe 28. Tom Holroyd 34. Jack Broadbent
St Helens;
- Lachlan Coote 2. Tommy Makinson 3. Kevin Naiqama 4. Mark Percival 5. Regan Grace 6. Jonny Lomax 7. Theo Fages 8. Alex Walmsley 9. James Roby 11. Zeb Taia 12. Dominique Peyroux 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook 14. Morgan Knowles 15. Matty Lees 16. Kyle Amor 19. Aaron Smith 20. James Bentley 22. Jack Welsby 23. Joe Batchelor 27. Lewis Dodd 32. James Graham
Referee: Chris Kendall
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