We have some huge games this week as Leeds Rhinos host Hull KR in a massive game in the play-off race whilst Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves collide in a a match that is always a big occasion meanwhile in a repeat of the 2021 Grand Final St Helens and Catalans Dragons collide with the two either side of Leigh Leopards in the top three.
The league is at a critical juncture but for Wigan, Saints, Leigh and Hull KR the season is at an even more intense moment with the Challenge Cup semi-finals less than two weeks away.
The Warriors are looking to retain their trophy, Saints are gunning for only their second Challenge Cup since 2008 but for Leigh and Hull KR they are looking to end much longer waits for the trophy.
This makes injuries at this stage critical and this week Paul Wellens have an update on his injured stars.
“I’ve got some decisions to make there. Curtis Sironen is working his way back from his injury,” Wellens said on Saints TV.
“We need to make a decision on Wednesday morning whether Curtis plays or not. We’re in a position where we could potentially name the same 17.
“I’m not sat here getting too caught up in next week and the fact it’s a semi-final next week. If he’s fit to play, then he plays and if he’s not, then he won’t. That’s the way I look at it.
“If next week was another Super League game, we’d be approaching it in exactly the same fashion.
“What we have to be is smart in the way we approach the situation and that’s why we are giving until the 12th hour to make that call.”
He also revealed that star men Tommy Makinson and Joe Batchelor could be back for the semi:
“They’ve got a chance. They are progressing okay. They are still with physios at the moment. The plan for them is to return to squad training next week so hopefully should they come through the work over the weekend that they’ve got with the medical team.
“Hopefully they will come back into the squad but we’ll have to see how they progress over the next few days.”
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