St Helens lose three players for Castleford Tigers clash

Paul Wellens has named his 21-man squad for St Helens’ first match of the 2023 Betfred Super League season, away at Castleford Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

St Helens head to The Mend-A-Hose Jungle fresh on the heels of securing a third World Club Challenge title last Saturday over Penrith Panthers, with the game live on Channel 4 and kicking off at 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

Wellens has a trio of fresh injury concerns.

Tommy Makinson is ruled out of the fixture due to head injury protocols as was mentioned previously whilst Joe Batchelor is set for a spell of 8-10 weeks on the sidelines because of ankle surgery.

Meanwhile Will Hopoate, James Roby and Agnatius Paasi are stood down following knocks picked up in the World Club Challenge game.

Roby is set for a scan but on what remains unclear.

On this Wellens said:

“We’re understanding that there’s a lot of rugby to be played. We don’t want to put unnecessary pressure on players where we don’t have to be my mindset is going with our strongest possible 17 against Castleford.”

In brighter news, Tee Ritson is in line to make his official competitive debut for the Saints if selected, whilst the powerful youngster George Delaney is named in the initial 21-man squad after making impressing in the Reserves game against Swinton Lions last month, and the First Team friendly against Widnes.