St Helens boss Paul Rowley has some big decisions to make this week as he prepares to take his side to France to face Toulouse Olympique.
The Saints got the result last week against Castleford Tigers but sealing their spot in the quarter-finals of the competition certainly came at a price with three players being ruled out due to injury and one due to suspension.
Daryl Clark and Jake Burns both failed HIAs on Saturday, ensuring they will not travel to the continent this week, while Curtis Sironen picked up a calf issue. On top of that, Kyle Feldt will be banned for the next three matches for a reckless and dangerously high challenge on Krystian Mapapalangi.
The head coach has been forced into making four changes to what was already considered to be something of a threadbare squad then, with four potential debutants coming into the 21-man travelling squad.
Here’s how we think the Saints could line up.
Well, it seems likely that Tristan Sailor will be named at full-back this week having spent much of the game in the role last week at Wheldon Road. He excelled in the position defensively and managed to step up into the line and take on a creative role, too.
However, with Feldt being suspended, there is a chance that we could see Harry Robertson in the centre role we grew accustomed to seeing him in last year. That’s because Deon Cross is able to move out to the wing, with Robertson moving from the spine to the outside backs.
George Whitby will be keen to get a run out this week for the Saints, with the half-back able to step into the pivots alongside Jackson Hastings, who will dominate creative responsibilities at Stade Ernest Wallon.
George Delaney is fit again and could come straight into the starting pack to play alongside David Klemmer, while Jake Wingfield is the obvious choice to start in the hooker role.
Matt Whitley and Jake Davies could play in the back-row, with Shane Wright at loose-forward.
Noah Stephens and Agnatius Paasi offer middle options off the bench, while Cole Marsh could be set for a Saints debut given Rowley’s need for another hooker option. Owen Dagnall is likely to be named on the bench to provide depth in the outside backs.
Predicted St Helens team: Tristan Sailor; Deon Cross, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival, Lewis Murphy; George Whitby, Jackson Hastings; David Klemmer, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney; Matt Whitley, Jake Davies; Shane Wright.
Bench: Noah Stephens, Agnatius Paasi, Owen Dagnall, Cole Marsh.
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