St Helens fail to name a full 21-man squad for derby clash against Wigan Warriors

The head coaches of Wigan Warriors and St Helens have named their squads for Friday night’s derby clash in Super League.

It’s likely to be the most important game to decide who takes the League Leaders’ Shield, as the Warriors winning could mean they’re out of sight for the chasing pack.

A loss for Saints could see them drop as low as fifth in the table, in what is an incredibly tight battle for places with just four points between second and seventh.

Wigan Warriors have made just two changes to their side that defeated Leigh Leopards 18-6 last week.

Brad O’Neill, who was banned by the Match Review Panel for Grade B Dangerous Throw/Lift, tipping Robbie Mulhern, misses out as the club did not appeal his ban

Also dropping out is Mike Cooper, and the two are replaced by Jacob Douglas and young loose-forward Taylor Kerr, named in a senior squad for the first time.

They are, with Kruise Leeming and even Tom Forber out, without a recognised hooker.

St Helens also have concerns, only naming a 20-man squad for the clash.

Daryl Clark, injured for last week’s game against Castleford Tigers, is back in the squad, but his fitness level is unclear.

Moses Mbye is banned for the game as their appeal for his ban was unsuccessful.

However, they hope to put him in the squad as they’re also appealing the tribunal’s decision. Their desperation to put him in the squad suggests that Daryl Clark probably isn’t fit to play at hooker.

Jake Burns and Jonny Vaughan made their debuts last week and are again named, while Leon Cowen and Harry Robertson could make their senior debuts also.

The full squad lists can be found below.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad

2. ABBAS MISKI
3. ADAM KEIGHRAN
4. JAKE WARDLE
5. LIAM MARSHALL
6. BEVAN FRENCH
7. HARRY SMITH
8. ETHAN HAVARD
10. LIAM BYRNE
12. LIAM FARRELL
13. KAIDE ELLIS
15. PATRICK MAGO
16. LUKE THOMPSON
19. TYLER DUPREE
20. HARVIE HILL
21. JUNIOR NSEMBA
22. SAM WALTERS
23. RYAN HAMPSHIRE
26. ZACH ECKERSLEY
28. JACOB DOUGLAS
30. JACK FARRIMOND
36. TAYLOR KERR

St Helens 20-man squad

1. Jack Welsby

3. Waqa Blake

4. Mark Percival

5. Jon Bennison

6. Jonny Lomax

7. Lewis Dodd

9. Daryl Clark

10. Matty Lees

15. James Bell

16. Curtis Sironen

17. Agnatius Paasi

20. George Delaney

21. Ben Davies

22. Sam Royle

24. Jake Burns

25. Tee Ritson

30. Jonny Vaughan

31. Noah Stephens

32. Leon Cowen

33. Harry Robertson.