One of two Sunday fixtures in round 2 sees Wakefield host St Helens. Here’s everything you need to know.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Wakefield Trinity
Many were tipping Wakefield to kick on this year and possibly challenge the top four. Last week. they were brought down to earth after a defeat to Super League new boys and relegation favourites London Broncos. This week they will look to right those wrongs from last week.
St Helens
Saints started the season with a 22-10 win over bitter rivals Wigan Warriors. They were deserved winners and will looking to put a marker down by winning their first away game of the season.
SQUAD NEWS
Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield have made two changes from their 42-24 defeat to London, with Danny Kirmond and Craig Huby replacing James Batchelor and Tyler Randall who both miss out due to injury.
Wakfield Trinty 19-man squad:ย
1. Ryan Hampshire, 2. Tom Johnstone, 3. Bill Tupou, 4. Reece Lyne, 5. Ben Jones-Bishop, 6. Jacob Miller, 7. Danny Brough, 8. David Fifita, 9. Kyle Wood, 10. Anthony England, 11. Matty Ashurst, 12. Danny Kirmond, 14. Justin Horo, 15. Craig Kopczak, 16. Tinirau Arona, 17. Craig Huby, 18. Joe Arundel, 22. George King, 26. Jordan Crowther.
St Helens
Coach Justin Holbrook has made just one change to his 19-man squad with James Bentley replacing Jack Ashworth, who is likely to get valuable game time for Leigh against Halifax instead of as 18th man. Saints are likely to be unchanged from their last match after Theo Fages put in a man of the match performance to keep Danny Richardson out of the side.
St Helens 19-man squad:ย
1. Jonny Lomax, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Kevin Naqaima, 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, 17. Dominque Peyroux, 19. Matty Lees, 22. James Bentley, 23. Lachlan Coote.
HEAD TO HEAD
This fixture will be the 46th meeting between the two sides, with St Helens winning 37 and Wakefield winning just 9. Last season, Saints lost their only away fixture of 2018 against Wakefield.
KEY BATTLE
David Fifita and Craig Kopczak (Wakefield) vs Alex Walmsley and Luke Thompson (St Helens)
http://gty.im/1093378276
This is arguably a battle of the two best packs in the league. Much has been made of whether eight interchanges will have an effect on Wakefield’s massive pack and last week, their pack was torn apart by Eddie Battye and his fellow London props so there could be some truth in this. This week, they have an even bigger challenge ahead of them, with them facing two England internationals in Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Sunday 10th February
Venue: Mobile Rocket Stadium
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Robert Hicks
WHO WILL WIN?
Getting beat by London and then beating St Helens would be a really ‘Wakefield’ thing to do; however, I just can’t see past a St Helens win. They should be too strong for them on this occasion.
