An injury-hit St Helens will host Wigan Warriors on Good Friday and we’ve predicted how they will line up given their current injury crisis and in the aftermath of two new loan signings.
With Huddersfield Giants seeing a number of their spine players return last weekend when beating Wigan Warriors, St Helens can take the unwanted award for being the Super League club with the most injured or unavailable players.
Making matters potentially worse for St Helens is the fact that Wigan Warriors have named Jai Field in their 21-man squad, though it’s still to be seen if that is mind games or a case of the full-back returning early from his appendix surgery.
Saints’ injury issues are so bad that they’ve taken to the loan market with Hull KR pair Jordan Dezaria and Bill Leyland joining the club on a short-term basis and we’ve predicted that both players will feature for the Red Vee on Friday afternoon.
With their one, two, four, seven, eight, ten, 11, 14, 15 and 17 unavailable, as well as an injury to number 25 Nene Macdonald, we’ve predicted how St Helens could line up for this year’s Good Friday derby.
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St Helens predicted line-up to face Wigan Warriors
Full-back: Tristan Sailor
Tristan Sailor has had a very strong start to the season and he’s expected to line up at full-back though he and Harry Robertson have often interchanged within the game with the pair forming a very fluid spine.
Winger: Owen Dagnall
With Kyle Feldt banned, it’s likely to be Owen Dagnall who starts on the wing up against Liam Marshall with the 20-year-old one of Saints’ two try-scorers last week in the heavy defeat to Hull KR.
Centre: Matt Whitley
Injuries to Mark Percival and Nene Macdonald, as well as the fact Harry Robertson has featured in the spine of late, mean Matt Whitley could be the man to line up at right centre where he will be taking on another second-row out of position in Liam Farrell.
Centre: Deon Cross
With so many injuries to Percival and Macdonald throughout the season so far, Deon Cross has regularly occupied this position with the 29-year-old one of the club’s ever-presents so far in 2026.
Winger: Lewis Murphy
Outside Cross has been Lewis Murphy with the winger finding his form this year after a rough spell with injury the past few years.
Half-back: Harry Robertson
As referenced above, Harry Robertson has played a fluid role in the spine with the youngster at times appearing in the centres but also tasked with running from the halves.
Half-back: Jackson Hastings
Jackson Hastings has been the linchpin for St Helens so far this season given their other spine injuries so social media rumours of a hamstring injury will be concerning for fans. Whether there is any truth in that is yet to be seen with young talent Tom Humphreys adept in the halves if required.
Prop: David Klemmer
Klemmer has had to play big minutes so far given the injuries to Alex Walmsley and Matty Lees but he’ll also be without his playing partner George Delaney this week, with Rowley recently referring to the duo as ‘master and apprentice’. That could spell even larger minutes for the ex-Australian international.
Hooker: Daryl Clark
Clark has only missed one game so far this season and the 33-year-old is expected to play a large part in this match for Saints.
Prop: Agnatius Paasi
Paasi has played the last three matches having missed the start of the season and even featuring for the reserves. The 34-year-old played off the bench last week and that could well be the case again this week though we’ve picked him to start.
Second-row: Shane Wright
With Matt Whitley moved to the centres and the likes of Curtis Sironen and Jacob Host out, Shane Wright is one of the few specialist second-rowers available to Paul Rowley.
Second-row: Jake Wingfield
Used at hooker recently and loose forward more commonly, Wingfield may have to make the move to the second-row which isn’t a position that he is unfamiliar with.
Loose forward: Joe Shorrocks
Back from his ban last week, Joe Shorrocks is expected to start at loose forward providing the remainder of the spine are healthy.
Interchanges: Bill Leyland, Jordan Dezaria, Noah Stephens, Billy Keeley
Loanees Bill Leyland and Jordan Dezaria come straight onto the bench with the former a hooker and the latter an international prop. They’ll be joined by local lad Noah Stephens who will offer impact off the bench and it could be Billy Keeley, the specialist back-row, as the final option with the 18-year-old a possible debutant.
