St Helens have been dealt two late blows, including one in the warm-ups, as they’ve lost a pair of key players for their clash with Leigh Leopards.
The Red Vee were travelling to face Leigh Leopards in a game of play-off intensity with both sides knowing that a win would ensure a top six finish. For St Helens, a win would ensure a home quarter-final as well.
Their task was made more difficult though due to two late pull-outs, including one that occurred in the warm-up, as both Alex Walmsley and Moses Mbye missed out.
That meant young George Delaney and Jake Burns were thrust into the front row at the last minute with Walmsley’s absence being confirmed when the team sheets came out, and Mbye pulling up in the warm-up.
St Helens boss Paul Wellens had provided an injury update after the squad announcement with the head coach seen in a video posted to the club’s X account.
In that, Wellens explained: “Unfortunately, Alex Walmsley has had a bit of a sickness bug in the last 48 hours so he comes out of the team and Noah Stephens comes into the seventeen.”
The St Helens boss had began that video by confirming that Moses Mbye was back in the squad after serving his one-match ban but minutes before kick-off, it was confirmed that the hooker had to pull out.
Paul Wellens issues his Round 27 gameday update and talks the latest about Alex Walmsley #COYS pic.twitter.com/GF4K8YH96w
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) September 20, 2024
Sky Sports’ Brian Carney revealed: “We expected to see Moses Mbye back at nine after his ban but he has pulled his calf meaning that Jake Burns takes his place.”
Jenna Brooks further revealed that Mbye pulled up with a “sore right calf” and that he would be further assessed ahead of the play-offs.
It means two late changes for St Helens who are facing a full-strength Leigh Leopards side with Edwin Ipape returning after a shoulder injury ruled him out against Hull KR in their Round 26 defeat.
