St Helens down three starters for top of the table clash with Catalans

St Helens travel to Perpignan to take on Catalans Dragons this weekend with the game set to decide who will sit atop Super League.

Catalans currently sit second with St Helens first on points difference, both teams boasting records of five wins and one loss, and having both recorded impressive wins in Rivals Round.

St Helens defeated historic rivals Wigan Warriors on Good Friday in a feisty affair that has seen them lose Matty Lees to suspension, whilst Steve McNamara’s side defeated Warrington for the second time this season.

The key to Saints’ success so far has been their incredible defence with the Red Vee conceding just 44 points in their six games, 24 of those coming against Salford Red Devils in their sole loss this season.

As such they’ve conceded just four tries in their other five games but they’ve got a stiff task on their hands to try and stop high-scoring Catalans who have scored the second-most points in the competition so far.

Tom Johnstone got in on the try-scoring act this past weekend with a brace against Warrington but it’s been his teammate Tom Davies that has been racking up the tries of late with six in his last four.

St Helens have actually been without their star winger Tommy Makinson, who is widely reported to be heading to Catalans for 2025, of late with the veteran winger only returning to face Wigan after missing games previously.

One man that St Helens will be without is Matty Lees after he was handed a two-game ban following his shot on Luke Thompson against Wigan Warriors, whilst Mark Percival is a doubt after the high shot that Liam Byrne landed on him.

St Helens without two starting centres

It has now been confirmed that Mark Percival will miss out with NRL recruit Waqa Blake also not included in the 21-man squad which will likely mean that derby-day try-scorer Konrad Hurrell will start in the centres.

Saints confirm that Percival did fail his HIA but that Joe Batchelor, also withdrawn for a HIA passed and is therefore part of the travelling squad.

Jake Burns and Noah Stephens come into the squad whilst winger Tee Ritson is also recalled which could see Tommy Makinson slide into the centres potentially.

James Bell is also back after serving his ban that saw him miss the clash on Good Friday.

As for Catalans their injury problems have eased with Arthur Mourgue back in the squad which will be a massive boost after the full-back missed out last week.

Theo Fages is named again but didn’t play against Warrington but should he feature then the Dragons will be closer to a full-strength spine with Jayden Nikorima remaining out.

Catalans Dragons 21-Man Squad

1. Arthur MOURGUE
2. Tom DAVIES
3. Arthur ROMANO
4. Matthieu LAGUERRE
7. Théo FAGES
8. Mike McMEEKEN
9. Micky McILORUM
10. Julian BOUSQUET
11. Tariq SIMS
12. Paul SEGUIER
13. Benjamin GARCIA
14. Alrix DA COSTA
16. Romain NAVARRETE
17. César ROUGE
18. Ugo TISON
20. Chris SATAE
21. Matt IKUVALU
24. Tom JOHNSTONE
25. Loan CASTANO
27. Jordan ABDULL
28. Franck MARIA

St Helens 21-Man Squad

1. Jack Welsby
2. Tommy Makinson
5. Jon Bennsion
6. Jonny Lomax
7. Lewis Dodd
8. Alex Walmsley
9. Daryl Clark
11. Sione Mata’utia
12. Joe Batchelor
13. Morgan Knowles
14. Moses Mbye
15. James Bell
16. Curtis Sironen
18. Jake Wingfield
19. Matt Whitley
20. George Delaney
21. Ben Davies
23. Konrad Hurrell
24. Jake Burns
25. Tee Ritson
31. Noah Stephens.