St Helens

St Helens approaching full strength as they look to extend unbeaten start

by
Ollie Mitchell
March 6, 2024

The head coaches of St Helens and Salford Red Devils have named their 21-man squads ahead of their game on Friday night.

The two sides are in red-hot form, with Saints top of the league, winning three from three this season, while Salford are coming off the back of an impressive win over Hull KR.

Saints prop Matty Lees returns to the side after missing the Leigh game due to an illness, in a major boost for the league leaders.

Head coach Paul Wellens had previously said on Lees: “We’ve got to make a call on Matty, but we’re thinking it might need another week.

“We’ve got to respect the situation. He’s had a rough couple of months in terms of infections and has been in hospital a few times.

“We want to make sure that when Matty does come back, he comes back fit and healthy and ready to not just play one game but string a number of games together.”

The only change to the last 21-man squad is Tee Ritson coming in for the suspended Konrad Hurrell.

Joe Batchelor is yet to return to the squad due to a collarbone injury, while Waqa Blake, who also missed the game against Leigh through illness, is also yet to return.

On Batchelor, Wellens said: “If he continues to progress in the right way, hopefully he may be fit for the Leeds fixture.

“If not, it should almost certainly be the week after.”

Curtis Sironen, a doubt after having to go off against the Leopards with a back issue, is named in the side again.

Agnatius Paasi remains out with his ACL injury.

😇 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦

Paul Wellens has named his 21-man squad for this Friday’s @SuperLeague home match against @SalfordDevils at the @twstadium!

Full story ⬇

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) March 6, 2024

For Salford, Ryan Brierley is part of the squad, despite being a doubt due to pulling up in the warm-up last time out.

Ireland international Ethan Ryan is named in a Salford squad for the very first time, after his move from Hull KR. He missed the start of the season with a wrist injury.

Oli Partington, Adam Sidlow and Joe Mellor remain out of the side, while winger David Nofoaluma isn’t named this week.

Paul Rowley has named his 21-man squad to take-on @Saints1890, with Ethan Ryan included for the first time! 💪

— Salford Red Devils 👹 (@SalfordDevils) March 6, 2024