St Helens round the regular Super League season off this evening safe in the knowledge that they have at least one more game to play. Paul Wellens’ side have secured fifth spot and with Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards playing tonight, they’ll find out where they will be going next week to begin their play-off campaign.
It means that tonight’s game at the Totally Wicked Stadium means very little in the grand scheme of things and Wellens has made a number of changes to his squad as a result. However, he’ll still be keen to see his side enter the play-offs with a degree of momentum behind them, having lost their last three.
Castleford Tigers’ season has been over for some time with Chris Chester and co already looking ahead to the new year.
However, they’ll still be keen to sign off on a high as well and they’ll travel to Merseyside looking to upset the odds.
As mentioned, Wellens has made changes but he spoke in his pre-match press conference about the need for a settled spine. As such, it would not be a surprise to see Jack Welsby named in the halves alongside Moses Mbye once more, while Tristan Sailor gets the full-back spot with Jonny Lomax on the bench.
There’ll be changes elsewhere in the side though, with Harry Robertson, and Mark Percival dropping out of the outside backs. That could leave Matt Whitley having to play centre, while Lewis Murphy is back fit again and could slot straight onto the wing, with Deon Cross stepping inside.
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Noah Stephens is another who’s fit once more after overcoming injury and he can expect to feature in the front-row with Jake Burns the most senior hooker in the squad and Shane Wright potentially set for a Saints debut.
Leon Cowan might make another appearance for the Red Vee in the back-row, while Joe Batchelor and Morgan Knowles will make their final home appearance for Saints.
James Bell, Agnatius Paasi and Jake Davies could make up the bench for this dead rubber.
Expect Castleford to look fairly similar to last week, with the only notable change expected to come in the outside backs with Zac Cini returning to the fold after a facial injury. If he plays, he can expect to replace either Sam Wood or Louis Senior in the side.
Predicted St Helens v Castleford Tigers line-ups
St Helens: Tristan Sailor; Kyle Feldt, Matt Whitley, Deon Cross, Lewis Murphy; Jack Welsby, Moses Mbye; Noah Stephens, Jake Burns, Shane Wright; Joe Batchelor, Leon Cowen; Morgan Knowles
Bench: Jonny Lomax, James Bell, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Davies
Castleford Tigers: Tex Hoy; Will Tate, Zac Cini, Louis Senior, Elliot Wallis; Daejarn Asi, Chris Atkin; Brad Singleton, Liam Horne, George Lawler; Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson; Joe Westerman.
Bench: George Griffin, Cain Robb, Sam Hall, Muizz Mustapha
