Two forwards to miss St Helens games with bans but should feature in World Club Challenge

Two St Helens players will go into 2023 carrying suspensions.

James Bell and Morgan Knowles are the men in question.

Bell missed St Helens’ Grand Final win over Leeds Rhinos due to the fact Knowles escaped a ban controversially over twisting Chris Atkin’s arm in the semi-final win over Salford Red Devils.

Now both forwards are set to miss a St Helens game due to suspensions picked up during the Rugby League World Cup.

Bell was brilliant for a struggling Scotland side even playing in the halves in one game. But Bell was brilliant especially against Australia however he picked up a one match ban for dangerous contact against Fiji in Scotland’s last game.

Meanwhile, Morgan Knowles has also picked up a ban for the same kind of offence against Samoa as England lost in the Rugby League World Cup semi-final at the Emirates Stadium.

Should this ban not be appealed, no doubt it would have been had England got to the final, then he will also enter 2023 with a ban.

However, both Bell and Knowles will likely be available for the World Club Challenge. The two will at least serve their suspension in the other game Saints play down under against St George Illawarra Dragons the week before.

Meanwhile, if Saints pencil in any more friendlies the ban could also be served there freeing them to play against St George.