St Helens host their final home game of the season on Friday night as they welcome Castleford Tigers to The Totally Wicked Stadium and they’ve seen a boost to their squad.
They had a boost already last night when it was confirmed that they had successfully appealed against the grading of Matty Lees’ charge for ‘Making contact with a match official’. As such, Lees saw his ban overturned and was instead handed a fine.
That was key for Saints given the injury concerns around Alex Walmsley after he hobbled on in Saturday’s defeat to Warrington Wolves. Paul Wellens had explained that both Walmsley and young full-back Harry Robertson had suffered knee injuries.
They did see Jack Welsby return to play just over 40 minutes and he should be better now for the game time whilst Wellens also noted that the likes of Daryl Clark and Lewis Dodd were back in training.
As for the visitors, Castleford Tigers were soundly beaten by Leigh in what was Paul McShane’s last game at The Jungle. Thankfully though, they came through unscathed and sin-binned teenager Jenson Windley also escaped a ban.
The 21-man squads for both St Helens and Castleford Tigers have now been revealed.
St Helens team news
Tommy Makinson returns after his two-match ban meaning that the St Helens legend can play one final home game for the club that he faithfully served.
There are also returns for Mark Percival, Lewis Dodd, Daryl Clark and James Bell which is a welcome boost with Paul Wellens seeing five of his senior stars returning.
The downside is that they are replacing players such as Moses Mbye who copped a one-match ban following Saturday’s defeat to Wire. Also dropping out are Harry Robertson, Sam Royle and George Whitby.
Alex Walmlsy is named meaning that the prop looks to have overcome his knee injury.
😇 𝗦𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
Head Coaches Paul Wellens and Matty Smith have named their Saints squads ahead of our Double Header this Friday night at the @twstadium!
⚪ Women vs Barrow – 5:15pm
🔴 First Team v Castleford – 8pmFull story ⬇
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 11, 2024
Castleford Tigers team news
As for Castleford Tigers, they’ve named two uncapped players in Akim Matvejev and Alfie Horwell with Craig Lingard’s team still stretched through injury and suspension.
Sylvester Namo remains out whilst the likes of backs Sam Wood and Josh Simm remain out as they have for much of the season. Corey Hall is another back that remains missing.
The biggest player to be missing through was full-back Tex Hoy meaning it looks like youngster Fletcher Rooney will get another run in the position.
🐅 Craig Lingard has named his 21-Man Squad to travel to Saints on Friday!#COYF pic.twitter.com/CvF0FyoSfc
— Castleford Tigers (@CTRLFC) September 11, 2024
