When I was at school I hated exams. If I had three in a week I’d always want one that I was more confident about sandwiched in between the toughies. They didn’t offer GCSE Cynicism, so I had to settle for something more English language-based in between the Hellish prospects of the sciences or maths’ of this world. You may wonder where I’m going with this but the reality is I’ve just smashed 125 words of this preview trying to find a more interesting way to tell you that - after an overly physical derby with Wigan and ahead of what looks a challenging visit to Warrington - Saints face a rather gentler assignment at home to Leigh on Thursday night (August 26, kick-off 7.45pm).
Saints boss and Michael Maguire tribute act Kristian Woolf isn’t taking it lightly, however. He’s named a strong 21-man squad for the clash, with only one change that was not forced on him. James Bentley’s 80-minute battle with John Bateman didn’t settle the issue of which of them owns the worst tache in Yorkshire, but it did earn the Saints man a one-game ban for his Beckham-esque flick of the boot in the direction of the Wigan man’s head. Bateman also picked up a ban for foul and abusive language aimed at referee Chris Kendall (how could he tell?) but that sanction has been taken away on appeal. Not only that but it is now Kendall who has been stood down from Super League action this week. Presumably he has since apologised to Eric Pollard and company and promised never to accuse Wigan of anything naughty ever again. His career depends on it.
Back to those changes. The one which was entirely voluntary on Woolf’s part sees the omission of Mark Percival. The coach presented a fairly good argument for it in truth. The games are very close together, Percival is high risk given his history of having Strings & Things where his hamstrings should be. But the real kicker - the bottom line if you will - is that Saints should be expected to beat Leigh anyway. This is a team that lost 16 league games on the bounce before picking up their first win against Salford Red Devils last time out. And let’s be honest about Salford. They’re so bad these days that even Wigan beat them.
The players coming in to the squad are Ben Davies and Josh Eaves. Both have been out on loan recently at Salford and Leigh respectively, though only Eaves featured when those two clubs met at the weekend. Woolf has recalled the pair, explaining that it was always the plan to do so ahead of this busy period. When he is finished beating us over the head with his common sense policies, Woolf will have to decide whether Eaves gets the nod over Aaron Smith for the role of back up hooker to James Roby.
Percival’s absence means there is also a decision to be made about the make up of the three-quarter line. Tommy Makinson serves the second of his two-match ban, so there may be an opportunity at centre for Josh Simm. The 21 year-old hasn’t featured since a 34-16 home win over Hull FC at the end of May. If he is going to establish himself he will need opportunities to shine. With Will Hopoate recruited for 2022 to replace Kevin Naiqama and the wind seemingly blowing heavily in the direction of Konrad Hurrell also arriving at the club for next year there is reason to fear for Simm’s prospects. Yet he has proven in every one of his nine first team appearances so far that he has the potential to make the step up.
Like Brian Glover in Kes the rest of the team pretty much picks itself. Joe Batchelor and Sione Mata’utia will both feel they should get a start in the second row but in all likelihood only one of them will alongside Joel Thompson and ahead of Morgan Knowles at loose forward. Batchelor struggled in his early days at the club after arriving from York City Knights but has impressed enough to earn himself a new two-year deal which he signed this week. He has certainly made great strides and won’t let anybody down. Yet he is not quite the world beater some believe. There’s a reason why - following on from their coverage of Roby’s new deal - Sky spared us the breaking news tweets in the reporting of Batchelor’s. Jake Wingfield is fit and available again and will be hopeful of another first team opportunity to add to the four he’s managed so far. His last appearance was also against Leigh in a game marred by the broken leg suffered by Bentley from which he has only recently returned.
We are quickly running out of games to enjoy watching Lachlan Coote. If nothing else about this fixture grabs you then maybe that thought will persuade you head down to Saints to cheer the boys on/cynically moan about their flaws/delete as appropriate. Naiqama is another who won’t be around for long and he should feature along with Regan Grace. Lewis Dodd’s impact on this team grows by the week and he should get another opportunity alongside Jonny Lomax.
Which just leaves the front row, where as well as Roby you’ll find the league’s dominant prop Alex Walmsley. Yet for all their class this area of the team is not quite what it was. When Luke Thompson was knocking about in tandem with Walmsley they and Roby made up the scariest front row in the world. Now the support cast just isn’t there to quite the same degree. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is game but also ageing and quite mad, while Matty Lees flatters to deceive at times. Kyle Amor is winding down also, so much so that he has recently had to endure the indignity of suggestions that he might have to return to his old club Wakefield.
Leigh will be incredibly relieved to have got off the mark last week, though whether we needed to be subjected to footage of Derek Beaumont jumping around in leopardskin is questionable. Now coached by Kurt Haggerty - son of the late Saints legend Roy - Leigh have named only a 19-man party. Among those missing out are enemy of rugby Ben Flower and two more schooled in Wigan skullduggery in Ian Thornley and Lewis Tierney. Any rugby league occasion would be enhanced by Blake Wallace’s flowing mane so it will be a shame not to see him. Tyrone McCarthy is another who will not be on show.
So who is playing for Leigh? Matty Russell has Grand Final experience as does Junior S’au, while Ryan Brierley is still capable of providing excitement. Alex Gerrard and Adam Sidlow will relish the battle up front, backed up by Matty Gee, Rob Butler and former Saint Jack Ashworth. The strings are pulled in midfield by Joe Mellor and James Bell. They will try to provide the ammunition for Thornley and S’au as well as wingers Craig Mullan and Brendan Elliott. And who doesn’t want to read in this column next week that Jamie Bell provided a try for B Elliott!? Please yourselves...
This ought to be a routine win for Saints. Seeing off Salford is one thing but Leigh are likely to find it tougher against a defensive behemoth, especially if it Woolf ordains to also play a ‘bit of footy’ in between the wrestling. Blowouts are a relic of a bygone era at Saints but we should still be able to look forward to a win by something in the region of 24 points.
Squads;
St Helens;
- Lachlan Coote, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 5, Regan Grace, 6, Jonny Lomax, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Matty Lees, 11. Joel Thompson, 13, Morgan Knowles, 14. Sione Mata’utia, 15. LMS, 16. Kyle Amor, 17, Agnatius Paasi, 18. Jack Welsby, 19, Aaron Smith, 20, Joe Batchelor, 21. Lewis Dodd, 22. Josh Simm, 23, Jake Wingfield, 24. Josh Eaves, 29. Ben Davies.
Leigh Centurions;
1 Ryan Brierley 2 Matty Russell 4 Junior Sa’u 7 Joe Mellor 9 Liam Hood (Captain) 11 Ben Hellewell 12 Jordan Thompson 13 James 15 Alex Gerrard 17 Jamie Ellis 18 Matty Gee 20 Adam Sidlow 22 Craig Mullen 24 Keanan Brand 25 Brendan Elliot 33 Rob Butler Sponsored by Meadowbank 34 Jack Ashworth 35 36 Sam Stone
Referee: Tom Grant
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