Paul Rowley has named his first squad as head coach of St Helens with the Red Vee taking on Castleford Tigers in a pre-season friendly.
The game will serve as a testimonial for newly-appointed club captain Matty Lees with the England forward named in the 27-man squad for Saturday afternoon’s game.
A large majority of Saints’ senior players have been selected as well as a host of young talents but all eyes will be on how Paul Rowley lines up his spine with the one, six and seven combination being one of the biggest questions of St Helens last season.
Tristan Sailor was handed the number six shirt once again with ex-captain Jonny Lomax given the seven shirt, though the veteran is not named to Saturday’s squad with the reason for that being unclear.
Young star George Whitby and standout NRL signing Jackson Hatsings are both named meaning fans may have to wait until Saturday to see what spine Paul Rowley opts for.
Paul Rowley names strong side for first St Helens match
Five new signings have been named by Paul Rowley as well as last year’s loanee turned new recruit Shane Wright, the man who scored the incredible try to defeat Leeds Rhinos in the play-offs.
From the starting XII shirt numbers, just Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley and Curtis Sironen miss out whilst new recruit Jacob Host (14) also isn’t named.
Signings David Klemmer, Joe Shorrocks, Nene Macdonald, Jacob Douglas and Jackson Hastings are all named meaning Host is the only recruit not in line to feature.
St Helens 27-man squad to face Castleford Tigers
1. Jack Welsby, 2. Kyle Feldt, 3. Harry Robertson, 5. Deon Cross, 6. Tristan Sailor, 9. Daryl Clark, 10. Matty Lees (C), 12. Shane Wright, 13. David Klemmer, 15. George Delaney, 16. Matt Whitley, 17. George Whitby, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. Agnatius Paasi, 20. Lewis Murphy, 22. Joe Shorrocks, 23. Jake Burns, 24. Owen Dagnall, 25. Nene Macdonald, 26. Jacob Douglas, 28. Jake Davies, 29. Alfie Sinclair, 31. Jackson Hastings, Tom Humphreys, Billy Keeley, Cole Marsh, Luca Walsh
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🔻 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒
St.Helens Head Coach Paul Rowley has named a 27-man squad for this Saturday’s pre-season friendly against @CTRLFC, which is Matty Lees’ Testimonial Match!
Read more 😇 https://t.co/KuyGZZisev#COYS | @matt_lees1 pic.twitter.com/Im2rOpfZ5D
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) January 22, 2026
