Predicting St Helens’ XIII to face Catalans amid 15-man injury list as debut likely

St Helens are in the midst of a terrible injury crisis with 15 first-team players unavailable and that’s led to Paul Rowley naming a squad comprising plenty of academy talents.

There are still some senior names in there but for the second week in a row, it’s expected that St Helens will hand out a debut given their injury crisis.

Owen Dagnall was the latest player to suffer a season-ending injury with his ACL blow only adding to what was already a major selection headache for Paul Rowley.

The club have also confirmed that Daryl Clark will be out for the year whilst both Alex Walmlsey and George Delaney, who had been expected back this week, remain under HIA protocols and therefore sidelined for an indefinite period.

Based on the 21-man squad named on Wednesday, we’ve predicted how Paul Rowley will field his team for Friday night’s huge game against Catalans as Saints look to respond to the devastating loss on the weekend.

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How will St Helens line up?

Full-back: Jack Welsby

Ever since the injuries in the halves to both Jonny Lomax and George Whitby emerged, there’s been no suggestion of Tristan Sailor playing full-back with Jack Welsby the man instead.

Wingers: Jacob Douglas and Jack Campbell

After Owen Dagnall’s injury, there could be a debut for under-18’s outside back Jack Campbell with other possible options being Nene Macdonald on the wing and a stand-in at centre.

Centres: Harry Robertson and Nene Macdonald

Mark Percival remains out so Robertson and Macdonald resume here in what is arguably Saints’ strongest position on the field.

Halves: Tristan Sailor and Jackson Hastings

They’re also strong in the halves though both Sailor and Hastings have lost the form they showed earlier in the season.

Hooker: Jake Burns

With Daryl Clark done for the year, Jake Burns may find himself starting at hooker a lot though Joe Shorrocks could also be an option.

Props: Daniel Suluka-Fifita and Jacob Host

Suluka-Fifita stands as one of the club’s only senior props and he’ll front up alongside Jacob Host, who is capable of playing anywhere in the pack.

Second-rowers: Jake Davies and Jed Cartwright

This duo started last week with Curtis Sironen off the bench though that may change on Friday.

Loose forward: Joe Shorrocks

If he’s not being employed at hooker or even prop, then Shorrocks will take up his customary position at loose forward.

Interchanges: Tom Humphreys, Curtis Sironen, Chris Matagi, Alfie Sinclair

Tom Humphreys will offer relief at dummy-half, Sironen brings some experience and the pair of Matagi and Sinclair offer youth and some much-needed fresh legs in the pack. Matagi debuted last week whilst Sinclair is yet to play since round five.