Ex-St Helens star ‘can’t defend’ Morgan Knowles after red card

On his return from suspension last night, Morgan Knowles was struck by a gutting blow when he was shown a red card which could see him miss St Helens’ trip to Headingley next week in a Grand Final rematch against Leeds Rhinos.

Knowles was shown the red for a high tackle right at the end of St Helens’ win over Halifax Panthers.

On Viaplay TV, his former teammate Kyle Amor said he couldn’t defend the loose-forward who was playing in his first game since his five match ban ended after a hip drop tackle on Wigan Warriors star Mike Cooper.

“It is difficult to defend him to be honest. The Halifax player knows he’s coming and he just steps hard and he knows he’s coming and the first contact is head high,” Amor said.

“He is in trouble.”

Meanwhile St Helens women star Jodie Cunningham felt for Knowles:

“The intent is right, the intent is right. He wants to go and put pressure on the ball player but he gets the contact wrong.

“It is such a shame, he always plays the game on that line of intensity and aggression.

“It is the last thing he would have wanted, and the last thing Paul Wellens would have wanted on his return game after five games on the sidelines and it looks like that could be another ban.”