St Helens have confirmed their squad for the derby against Wigan Warriors and Paul Wellens has made the brave call to drop Lewis Dodd meaning that debutant Harry Robertson comes into the mix.
The issues surrounding the spine for St Helens this week revolved around their spine with hooker Moses Mbye being banned following a Grade B charge. That was challenged unsuccessfully twice by St Helens meaning that there was a race for fitness for Daryl Clark.
Clark has passed fit and is named as the starting nine for the Red Vee, however, the big news involving the spine sees Lewis Dodd miss out with Jack Welsby moving into the halves. That has opened up the opportunity for young academy star Harry Robertson to debut at full-back.
It’s an incredibly brave call by Paul Wellens, who has himself been under fire from Saints fans recently, but it is one that could pay huge dividends.
⚫🔴 Here is how your Saints lineup for The Derby against Wigan tonight!
Live Match Centre
➡ https://t.co/bFCZV204x8#COYS pic.twitter.com/cSsZLDRLdV— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 12, 2024
Wigan Warriors make bold hooker call against St Helens
Credit: Imago Images
As for their hosts Wigan Warriors, they were confirmed to be without all three of their hookers with Brad O’Neill banned and both Kruise Leeming and Tom Forber injured.
That prompted the suggestion that Adam Keighran could move into the number nine role but instead, it is prop forward Luke Thompson that takes on the position.
It’s a decision that no one saw coming but perhaps more concerning for Wigan Warriors fans is the fact that Bevan French is also missing.
That means Wigan will be playing a spine of Zach Eckersly, Jack Farrmond, Harry Smith and Luke Thompson in their biggest game of the season so far.
A win over their rivals St Helens would put them six points clear of Saints and four points clear at the top of Super League, with a game in hand.
The game will be live on Sky Sports with coverage starting at 7:30 pm.
📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
Your Warriors side to take on St Helens! 👊#WWRL #SLWIGSTH pic.twitter.com/1KEjVTx8xc
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) July 12, 2024
