St Helens are already short in the pack and their situation has worsened after Joe Shorrocks was handed a two-match ban by the RFL.
The RFL’s Match Review Panel have handed down their verdict after round four of Super League saw a flurry of sin bins and a red card, with three of the cards coming in St Helens’ win over Bradford Bulls.
Bradford’s Elliot Peposhi saw red for making contact to the head of George Delaney, something that he was handed a three-game ban for, whilst St Helens’ David Klemmer saw yellow for a lesser offence in the same game. He was only fined, which Saints will be thankful for given how short on forward they are.
They’ll be without Joe Shorrocks for the Challenge Cup tie against Castleford Tigers and their round five Super League clash with Toulouse Olympique after his two-game ban for ‘dangerous contact’.
It means he will join Matty Lees (knee), Alex Walmsley (foot), George Delaney (HIA) and Jacob Host (broken leg) on the sideline, leaving Paul Rowley short on options.
What next for St Helens’ forward pack?
As mentioned above, Rowley will be very grateful that David Klemmer avoided a ban as the NRL signing is one of Saints’ few props available.
Klemmer will likely have to start alongside Noah Stephens who is only just back from injury, playing his first minutes of the season against the Bulls on Saturday evening.
The only other outright prop with a squad number is Agnatius Paasi, who has been a healthy scratch so far and was even loaned to Salford this past week. As a quota player and one of the few props available, it’s expected he will be called upon despite obvious fears around match fitness for the intensity of a Challenge Cup tie.
Alfie Sinclair is another prop but the 21-year-old has just last year’s Challenge Cup tie against amateur club West Hull to his name and is now out on loan at Swinton Lions.
Shane Wright is someone who could be deployed at prop though he is a natural second-rower, however, there is some depth at that position with likely starters Curtis Sironen and Matt Whitley being supported by Jake Davies. It also could be that Leon Cowen is brought back from his loan at Halifax Panthers.
As for who will replace Shorrocks, Paul Rowley confirmed that Jake Wingfield is nearing a return but tasking him with playing long minutes could be difficult so the quiet rumours of Jackson Hastings being an option at loose forward could well come true.
Rowley has often stated that the injury issues mean finding balance in those who remain on the field so moving Hastings away from the halves where he has excelled would be unlikely, though Saints’ injury issues are also unlikely.
How Paul Rowley could play his pack this week
Prop – David Klemmer, Hooker – Daryl Clark, Prop – Noah Stephens, Second-row – Curtis Sironen, Second-row – Matt Whitley, Loose forward – Jake Wingfield
Bench: Agnatius Paasi, Jake Davies, Shane Wright and a back (St Helens have named at least one back on their bench in every game so far this season)
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