St Helens will be hoping to keep their impressive form in tact when Leeds visit for their Round 18 Super League fixture on Friday night. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
SQUAD NEWS
LEEDS
Leeds coach Brian McDermott has had to make several changes to his 19-man squad following last week’s defeat to Huddersfield. Mikolaj Oledzki and Richie Myler are both out after suffering from concussion, while Brett Delaney also misses out with an ankle injury.
Replacing them are Joel Moon- who has not played since the Magic Weekend due to an Achilles injury- Harry Newman and Anthony Mullally, who returns from suspension.
Leeds 19-man squad: Golding, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Hall, Moon, Cuthertson, Parcell, Ward, Dwyer, Mullally, Garbutt, Ferres, Handley, Ormondroyd, Walker, Lilley, Newman, Smith, Walters.
ST HELENS
Saints coach Justin Holbrook has had to make just the one change to his side that beat Hull KR in the last round. Kyle Amor is out through injury and he is replaced by Jack Ashworth. St Helens have not lost since round 11 in mid-April when they lost 24-20 away to Wakefield.
St Helens 19-man squad: Lomax, Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Fages, Smith, Roby, Taia, Wilkin, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Douglas, Knowles, Thompson, Peyroux, Richardson, Grace, Lees, Ashworth, Barba.
HEAD TO HEAD
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Apart from that Wakefield loss, Leeds are the only other Super League side that have beaten the Saints in 2018, defeating them 28-20 back in March. The Rhinos have a decent record against Saints in recent games, winning the last three match-ups between the sides.
One man who enjoys this rivalry is Ash Handley. The Rhinos winger scored twice back in March and has bagged 10 tries in his last six clashes against the Saints.
KEY BATTLE- Joel Moon (Leeds) vs Jonny Lomax (St Helens)
The Rhinos have definitely missed Joel Moon having not played since Magic Weekend. Their attack has been a bit sporadic and Richie Myler, as good as he has been for Leeds so far, cannot do it all on his own.
Jonny Lomax will be full of confidence after his England call-up during the week for the test in Denver. His partnership with Danny Richardson and his collaborations with James Roby and Ben Barba really prove how influential the spine of Saints has been this season.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Friday 15th June
Venue: Emerald Headingley Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Referee: Ben Thaler
WHO WILL WIN?
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