St Helens v Leeds Rhinos line-ups as Paul Wellens makes Jonny Lomax and Tristan Sailor decisions

St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has selected Tristan Sailor to start against Leeds Rhinos despite calls for him to be dropped. Sailor has struggled for form of late and a move to full-back hasn’t managed to bring out his best in the red vee.

However, Wellens has stuck with the Australian at Magic Weekend, with Sailor selected in the number one role. The Saints head coach has stuck with Jack Welsby and George Whitby in the halves, too, with Jonny Lomax having to make do with a bench spot.

Moses Mbye gets the nod to start at hooker over Daryl Clark, while Alex Walmsley is on the bench, too, with Agnatius Paasi starting the game through the middle.

Deon Cross makes his debut for the Saints after making the switch from Salford Red Devils last week. He starts at centre on the inside shoulder of Jon Bennison.

Kallum Watkins starts at loose-forward with Brad Arthur bringing him into the starting line-up. Cooper Jenkins drops out of the starting pack and onto the bench, with Keenan Palasia moving from 13 to prop.

Alfie Edgell plays on the wing in place of the injured Ryan Hall with Arthur keeping changes to a minimum at St James’ Park to face off against the Saints.

St Helens v Leeds Rhinos line-ups

St Helens: Tristan Sailor; Jon Bennison, Deon Cross, Mark Percival, Lewis Murphy; Jack Welsby, George Whitby; Agnatius Paasi, Moses Mbye, Matty Lees; Curtis Sironen, Matt Whitley, Morgan Knowles.

Bench: Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, George Delaney.

Leeds Rhinos: Lachlan Miller, Alfie Edgell, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Riley Lumb; Jake Connor, Jack Sinfield; Keenan Palasia, Jarrod O’Connor, Mikolaj Oledzki, James McDonnell, Morgan Gannon, Kallum Watkins.

Bench: Tom Holroyd, Sam Lisone, James Bentley, Cooper Jenkins.