St Helens will be looking to put last week’s Challenge Cup disappointment behind them as they take on Castleford at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
St Helens
It;s their performances on the biggest stage that have let them down in recent years. Their domestic form has been impeccable and remarkably they are yet to lose a game in the North of England this season with three of their losses coming in London and another one in the south of France.
Castleford
Their hopes of making the play-offs are in the balance. Currently they sit in sixth place with Warrington, Salford, Wigan and Hull all just having two more points than them. They have hit good form in recent weeks though as they have won their last five of six games.
SQUAD NEWS
St Helens
Saints have made two changes from their squad from the Challenge Cup Final. Lachlan Coote misses out through concussion while Dom Peyroux is not risked with a slight knock. They are replaced by Jack Welsby and Matty Costello. Aaron Smith misses out as he serves the second of his two game suspension.
St Helens 19-man squad: 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, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Joseph Paulo, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Kyle Amor, 20. Jack Ashworth, 22. James Bentley, 24. Matty Costello, 29. Jack Welsby
Castleford Tigers
Castleford are boosted by the return of menacing prop Liam Watts who missed their previous game against Hull KR. Callum Turner is also named in the squad as Tuoyo Egodo and Cory Aston are the ones to miss out.
Castleford Tigers 19-man squad: 1. Peter Mata’utia, 2. James Clare, 3. Greg Minikin, 6. Jake Trueman, 8. Liam Watts, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Grant Millington, 11. Oliver Holmes, 12. Mike McMeeken, 13. Adam Milner, 15. Jesse Sene-Lefao, 20. Jamie Ellis, 23. Will Maher, 27. Calum Turner, 29. Jacques O’Neill, 32. Jordan Rankin, 34. Daniel Smith, 35. Cheyse Blair
HEAD TO HEAD
Castelford last won away to St Helens 29 years ago when they beat Saints 29-16 at Knowsley Road in October 1990. This season St Helens have come on top twice ass they easily beat them at Wheldon Road 42-12 and then 36-16 in the reverse fixture.
KEY BATTLE
James Roby (St Helens) v Paul McShane (Castleford Tigerd)
These two have probably been two of the most consistent hookers in the last decade of Super League and both will be eyeing a spot on the Lions Tour later in the year.
Despite losing the Challenge Cup Final last week, Roby once again put in a monumental shift, making 65 tackles. He has however had a few niggles this season which has meant that he has not played as many games as previous seasons but this is to be expected in the later stages of his career. Saints will be hoping the England international will be fully fit as we get nearer the play offs so he can be at his best, especially in attack which they seemed to miss at Wembley.
McShane is a very similar player to Roby and they can both be classed as their sides most important player. Many fans believe that McShane has been very unlucky not to have any international caps in recent seasons. If McShane has a good game then it is likely the rest of his team will follow and that is why he is important to the Tigers outfit.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 30/8/19
Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
Referee: James Child
WHO WILL WIN?
Saints will have a bit of a chip on their shoulder from last week so I expect them to put in a big performance this week and win.
