Wakefield Trinity have seen star winger Tom Johnstone drop out ahead of today’s clash against St Helens.
Wakefield can effectively end St Helens’ hopes of placing in the top six, hopes that are already near paper-thin after last week’s loss to Hull FC. A win for Trinity would leave the Red Vee six points outside the play-offs with just eight points to play for.
Given how poor Saints’ points difference relative to Leigh (70 points worse off before today’s game), Saints may well need to win all four of those remaining games to make the six.
As for Wakefield, they’ll be eager to reclaim third after Warrington moved ahead of them thanks to their win on Thursday night. Perhaps more important for Trinity is locking up that top four finish, and therefore a home play-off match.
Both Daryl Powell and Eamon O’Carroll have now picked their squads for today’s games with each coach forced into changes.
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Wakefield Trinity team news
Wakefield saw Jay Pitts pick up a bicep injury last week meaning the veteran drops out but there is another substantial blow as Tom Johnstone has dropped out, with Lachlan Walmsley taking his place.
Mike McMeeken returns to the front row as Tray Lolesio drops to the bench with Matty Storton returning to start in the second-row.
Powerhouse pair Hamlin-Uele and Caius Faatili remain on the bench alongside hooker Harvey Smith.
Wakefield Trinity XIII: Josh Rourke, Jayden Myers, Cam Scott, Corey Hall, Lachlan Walmsley, Jack Sinfield, Jake Trueman, Ky Rodwell, Tyson Smoothy, Mike McMeeken, Matty Storton, Isaiah Vagana, Jazz Tevaga
Interchanges: Tray Lolesio, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Caius Faatili, Harvey Smith
🏉 Ready To Go!!!
Here is how the Trin will line up today against St Helens!!#UpTheTrin | Pulse Landscaping & Driveways pic.twitter.com/Un5Fnr27s8
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) August 15, 2026
St Helens team news
Saints lost George Whitby to an ACL injury so he drops out of the squad but there is a key return among the outside backs, where Nene Macdonald returns in the centres.
His return means that Jake Davies can move back to his natural position in the second-row, as last week’s starter Billy Keeley drops to the bench.
Joe Shorrocks starts at hooker as Tom Humphreys drops to the bench with Jacob Host starting at loose forward, with the only change to the personnel being Maconald in for Whitby, albeit with a number of reshuffled positions.
St Helens XIII: Jack Welsby, Jacob Douglas, Tristan Sailor, Nene Macdonald, Lewis Murphy, Harry Robertson, Jackson Hastings, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Joe Shorrocks, Alex Walmsley,Jake Davies, Shane Wright, Jacob Host
Interchanges: Billy Keeley, Matty Evans, Chris Matagi, Tom Humphreys
😇 Here is how the Saints will lineup at the DIY Kitchens Stadium today to take on @WTrinityRL!
Live Match Centre
➡️ https://t.co/Za9AtxX7a0#COYS pic.twitter.com/zTKqI0bH3a— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 15, 2026
