The team news for Saturday’s three Super League matches is in with the most intriguing fixture seeing an injury-hit St Helens travel to take on York Knights, in what is almost a must-win game for the Red Vee.
Saints currently sit seventh, level on points with Hull KR, though the Robins’ superior points difference almost counts for an extra win. Rovers play on Friday night so St Helens will know if they can leapfrog Willie Peters’ side or if they simply have to win to keep pace, however, they’ll be without a host of players when they travel to York.
They’re also without a permanent head coach as Eamon O’Carroll continues as the interim following the departure of Paul Rowley and O’Carroll has now named his first squad since taking that role.
Also playing on Saturday are Castleford Tigers against Warrington Wolves with the Tigers looking to avenge their 72-point hammering earlier in the year, whilst Wakefield, who beat Cas last week, travel to take on Catalans in the evening game.
Squads for all six clubs involved have now been released with some big calls made.
St Helens in crisis, Rowley exit reaction and debating Super League’s best-ever overseas player – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show!
Super League team news
Castleford Tigers v Warrington Wolves
Ryan Carr makes three changes as Semi Valemei, Ashton Golding and Mikaele Ravalawa all drop out, with the latter of those headed out on loan to Doncaster.
Fletcher Rooney, George Hirst and Tylor Sharpe all come in with Sharpe in line for a debut.
Sam Burgess welcomes back Sam Powell after his suspension as two senior players drop out through injury. James Bentley failed a HIA in the loss to Leigh, whilst Kelepi Tanginoa dropped out in the warm-up due to a knee injury.
Charlie McKler and Ewan Smith are both called up as Ben Hartill also drops out.
Castleford Tigers 21-man squad: Daejarn Asi, Tom Weaver, Renouf Atoni, Liam Hood, George Lawler, Jordan Lane, Alex Mellor, Joe Stimson, Jack Ashworth, Fletcher Rooney, Louis Senior, Jason Qareqare, Krystian Mapapalangi, Jenson Windley, Sam Hall, Cain Robb, George Hirst, Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e, Tyler Dupree, Jack Brown, Tylor Sharpe
Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Cai Taylor-Wray, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, Marc Sneyd, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Toafofoa Sipley, Liam Byrne, Jordy Crowther, Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Josh Smith, Ewan Smith, Lachlan Webster, Charlie McKler
York Knights v St Helens
York Knights make three changes to their squad as two loanees arrive, Matty English and Andy Djeukessi with the latter revealed by Serious About Rugby League. Justin Sangare also joins the squad as Kieran Hudson and Will Dagger drop out, as well as David Nofoaluma (HIA).
St Helens confirmed last night that George Delaney would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery, so he drops out as one of three changes.
Alex Walmsley returns after passing the return to play protocols, whilst Chris Matagi and Alfie Tate are called up as Matty Evans (HIA) and Jed Cartwright (quad) both drop out.
York Knights 21-man squad: Toa Mata’afa, Sam Wood, Scott Galeano, Ata Hingano, Liam Harris, Jack Martin, Paul McShane, Paul Vaughan, Jordan Thompsojn, Denive Balmforth, Xavier Va’a, Justin Sangare, Oli Field, Kieran Buchanan, Jon Bennison, Nikau Williams, Matty Foster, Andy Djeukessi, Cody Hunter, Tom Inman, Matty English
St Helens 21-man squad: Jack Welsby, Harry Robertson, Tristan Sailor, Alex Walmsley, Shane Wright, Jacob Host, Lewis Murphy, Jake Burns, Joe Shorrocks, Jacob Douglas, Jake Davies, Alfie Sinclair, Tom Humphreys, Jackson Hastings, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Billy Keeley, Cole Marsh, Chris Matagi, Jack Campbell, Tyler McGann, Alfie Tate
Catalans Dragons v Wakefield Trinity
Solomona Faataape, Edenn Rogers-Smith and Lenny Marc all drop out for Catalans as youngsters Leo Darrelatour, Giovanni Descalzi and Hugo Cellier are all called up by John Cartwright.
Daryl Powell makes two changes to his side as Jack Sinfield returns, perhaps ahead of schedule, with Jordan Williams another to be called up.
Lachlan Walmsley and Myles Lawford both drop out ahead of the trip to France
Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Charlie Staines, Tommy Makinson, Nick Cotric, Toby Sexton, Lewis Dodd, Chris Satae, Julian Bousquet, Franck Maria, Ben Condon, Benjamin Garcia, Josh Allen, Kruise Leeming, Zac Lipowicz, Matthieu Laguerre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Ugo Tison, Clement Martin, Leo Darrelatour, Giovanni Descalzi, Alexis Lis, Hugo Cellier
Wakefield Trinity 21-man squad: Max Jowitt, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Tom Johnstone, Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Tyson Smoothy, Ky Rodwell, Matty Storton, Jazz Tevaga, Jay Pitts, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Caius Faatili, Harvey Smith, Isaiah Vagana, Jack Sinfield,, Jayden Myers, Josh Rourke, Tray Lolesio, Jordan Williams, Will Tate
