Kevin Brown urges St Helens to ‘do their talking on the field’ amidst injury crisis

The headline game tonight sees a repeat of the 2022 Grand Final with Leeds Rhinos travelling to face St Helens in a game of huge importance for both sides as they aim to nail down a playoff spot.

Both the meetings so far this season have been thrillers with each side taking one win a piece and both wins coming by a margin of just one point.

Interestingly as well, neither side has won their home game with Leeds’ 25-24 win at the Totally Wicked coming in dramatic circumstances and to a host of boos from the Saints crowd after multiple St Helens players went to the bin with Konrad Hurrell also sent off.

The reverse fixture at Headingley was equally as close but this time it was time for Leeds to lose in agonising fashion with a Lewis Dodd drop goal in golden point securing the victory by a score of 13-12.

Those trends suggest a one point win for Leeds but pundit Kevin Brown has touted a more comfortable Leeds win, one that could lift Rohan Smith’s men into the playoffs.

“For the last five years Saints have let the talking happen on the field and that’s what they need to get back to, they’re out of the cup and I think they’re fourth or fifth in the league.

“It’s important that they do carry on that resurgence that they’ve had in the competition towards the back end of the season but I fancy Leeds in this one.

“There’s so many people missing for Saints, they’re up against it and Leeds have already been there this year and won at Saints so they’ll have that confidence to draw from.”

The missing players that Brown references include the suspended Siona Mata’utia, as well as the four injuries accrued at the weekend – all of whom play in the pack which will create a major issue for the Saints.

Agnatius Paasi is confirmed as missing for nine months, Alex Walmsley for three with Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook set for two weeks out and Morgan Knowles a doubt for tonight’s clash.

Meanwhile Leeds are close to full strength with just the long term absentee Harry Newman missing as well as Zane Tetevano who recovers from a stroke in training.

A win for Rohan Smith’s men would bring them within two points of their opposition, although Saints do still hold a game in hand with that fixture against Huddersfield scheduled for Challenge Cup weekend.