St Helens v Leeds: Predicted line-ups and late injury news

Two of the top six clash to begin the penultimate round of Super League fixtures tonight. Rivals St Helens and Leeds will battle at the Totally Wicked Stadium as the Saints look to build momentum into the play-offs whilst the Rhinos are hoping to cement their place inside the top six.

Going into this clash between Super League’s two most successful sides, St Helens’ problems lie in the pack. They’re set to be without James Bentley, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Agnatius Paasi taking some of the size away from their usually potent pack. Joel Thompson will have to return after missing the last two whilst the likes of Joe Batchelor and Jake Wingfield will be asked to play bigger roles. Fortunately, Saints’ spine should remain the same after James Roby was ruled fit to feature.

As for the Rhinos, their problems aren’t localised to one section of their side like Saints. Their pack has also taken a beating following King Vuniyayawa’s injury which only exacerbates Zane Tetevano’s absence through suspension. This means someone like Jarrod O’Connor or Sam Walters could return to the mix. Meanwhile, Richard Agar has a huge call to make in his spine. Rob Lui’s injury leaves a hole in those key positions meaning Corey Johnson could be asked to play his first Leeds game since 2019 to give the Rhinos another option in the halves or at hooker.

St Helens
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Kevin Naiqama
4 Mark Percival
5 Regan Grace
18 Jack Welsby
21 Lewis Dodd
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
10 Matty Lees
20 Joe Batchelor
14 Sione Mata’utia
13 Morgan Knowles
Substitutes
11 Joel Thompson
16 Kyle Amor
19 Aaron Smith
23 Jake Wingfield

Leeds
27 Jack Broadbent
24 Luke Briscoe
3 Harry Newman
2 Tom Briscoe
5 Ash Handley
9 Kruise Leeming
16 Richie Myler
18 Tom Holroyd
14 Brad Dwyer
10 Matt Prior
31 Morgan Gannon
12 Rhyse Martin
20 Bodene Thompson
Substitutes
17 Cameron Smith
25 James Donaldson
26 Jarrod O’Connor
32 Corey Johnson