St Helens set to appeal star players ban

St Helens are set to face Huddersfield Giants on Thursday night and at the 21-man squad declarations, they’ve named just a 20-man squad.

The key reason for this is that Paul Wellens’ men are contesting the one game ban that was handed down to Morgan Knowles.

Knowles was charged with a Grade B offence of dangerous contact and was hit with a one match ban as a result of that.

Saints have now appealed this charge and as such named a 20-man squad, given Knowles is currently ineligible to play.

Should St Helens be successful then Knowles will assume his position in the squad and Wellens will have a full 21 to select from for Thursday night.

The club site confirmed the news.

“The Saints will be appealing the decision of Morgan Knowles’ one-match penalty notice received from the Match Review Panel following St Helens’ victory over Hull FC last Friday night. The loose forward was charged with a Grade B ‘Dangerous Contact’ offence for an incident that occurred in the 71^st minute of the game.

“As it stands, Knowles is set to miss Thursday night’s match in Huddersfield against the Giants.

“An independent tribunal hearing is scheduled for Tuesday night where the Club will appeal the decision. Following the result of the hearing, if Knowles’ ban is overturned he will be added to the squad declaration, but if it is unsuccessful another Saints player will be added to Thursday night’s team.”