It is a very bizarre and highly surprising squad for the Wire as they prepare to take on top-of-the-table St Helens, who are 12 points in front of Warrington, with Steve Price's team just two in front of Hull FC and four in front of Wigan and Catalans, while they sit six ahead of Salford and Castleford. There is no Blake Austin, who left the field in Perpignan on Saturday with an injury, the extent of which is unknown yet, while Jack Hughes also misses out after playing on with an injury against Catalans. Tom Lineham misses out through suspension, while there is no Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin or Mike Cooper - who are all presumably rested. Josh Charnley continues to be absent through injury, while Kevin Brown and Ryan Atkins are also still unavailable. In terms of incomings, the big news this week is that Matty Smith, the 32-year-old halfback has been signed on a short-term deal from Catalans Dragons. The former St Helens, Salford and Wigan man is presumably going to be put straight into the squad, as Price has only named an 18-man-squad for the game, leaving a space for Smith to enter. Ben Westwood is also in the squad and could play for the first time since announcing his imminent retirement, while there is also place for youngster Luis Johnson, who will hope to make his first appearance for Wire this season. Academy products Riley Dean and Josh Thewlis are included too - Dean is yet to play for the first-team, but Thewlis made his debut against Catalans in June. Pat Moran and Danny Walker are named in the squad and will be looking to play, after featuring very infrequently so far this season.
Full Back - 1 Stefan Ratchford
Since coming back from injury, Ratchford has been excellent and our highest performer in both of the last two matches. There is some discussion that Ratchford could play in the halves, fuelled further by the inclusion of young Josh Thewlis in the squad, but I would keep him at full back while he is playing so well, and give Riley Dean a chance in the halves.
Winger - 3 Bryson Goodwin
With no Lineham or Charnley available, it seems likely that Goodwin will fill in on the wing, as he did earlier in the season. I don't think he's great out there, but he's functional and it's about all the choice we've got.
Centre - 28 Luther Burrell
I'd like to see Burrell make his first start here. With Goodwin likely to be shunted out to the wing, a slot is open for Burrell to play in the centres, where his long-term future is likely to be next season and beyond. Hopefully he can put a good performance in.
Centre - 18 Toby King
There has been some discussion of King moving out to play on the wing, but I would leave Mamo there and allow King to continue at centre, particularly after such an impressive performance in Perpignan on Saturday.
Winger - 22 Jake Mamo
Despite Mamo's god-awful performance against Catalans, he is still very likely to play, and I expect him to continue on the wing. He could play on either wing depending on how Price chooses to go in the centres, and in the unlikely event that Ratchford gets moved to the halves, he could go to full back too.
Stand Off - 32 Riley Dean
Blake Austin is out with an injury which if serious, will probably spell curtains for our chances this season, and Declan Patton is rested, meaning that there will be two changes in the halves, and Austin and Patton will miss their first games of the season. Riley Dean is a young player from the academy who looks promising, and I am hoping he will start this game at six.
Scrum Half - 33 Matty Smith
Smith's signature has been secured on a short-term loan deal from Catalans. This is a player that will bolster our halfback ranks, with Austin's injury possibly keeping him out for a bit, Patton struggling for form, and Brown seemingly nowhere near a return. Smith is 32 but with that age comes experience, and to be fair to him, he has played in some of rugby's biggest games. For a short-term filler, we could've done worse.
Prop - 8 Chris Hill
Hill is one of few forwards who has remained in the squad, which isn't surprising given that he's only recently had two games off with suspension. Both times we've played Saints this year, we've been comfortably beaten in the battle of the forwards, so we need a big performance from Hill to have any chance. His discipline certainly needs to improve from Saturday's debacle, too,
Hooker - 21 Danny Walker
With no Daryl Clark or Blake Austin, we are missing our two best players for this game. Clark's replacement is likely to be Danny Walker, who has been starved of gametime this year because of Clark's brilliant form and importance to the team. This is a big chance for Walker to put a performance in and show us what he's all about. I want to see good, Clark-esque passes, and a few runs from dummy half.
Prop - 19 Sitaleki Akauola
Picking the second prop is quite difficult, though I've gone for Akauola because he has played at prop once this season, against Salford. I think it's between Akauola and Tasi for this spot, I would much rather see Akauola than the completely ineffective Tasi. Price seems to prefer using Akauola from the bench though, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him there.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
At least with Currie in the second row there will be some semblance of normality to the side. He has been good lately and hopefully can continue with his rate of high numbers of tackling. There is the possibility of him playing in the centres, but I can't imagine he will get moved as well.
Second Row - 20 Harvey Livett
There is a possibility that Livett could play in the halves, but I would rather see Dean get his debut alongside Smith, and use Livett in the forwards. He can play in the second row or at loose forward and I'd be fine with him playing in either position, or even being used from the bench. It was between Livett and Murdoch-Masila to take this spot, but with the latter just returning from injury and not playing at Catalans last week, I expect him to be on the bench.
Loose Forward - 23 Matt Davis
Aside from Austin, Matt Davis has been our only successful signing this season. He is a great tackler and has a superb work ethic, and has some ball-playing abilities too. With such a depleted team, this will be a chance for him to showcase his talents and be one of the most important players in the team. I expect him to start, but he could be on the bench, where he has been most often placed this year.
Interchange - 25 Luis Johnson
It really annoys me that Johnson hasn't been used since returning from his time on loan at Hull KR. He impressed so much there and I really want him to get some gametime with us, particularly as we are so poor in the forwards right now - he could certainly add something and this is a great opportunity.
Interchange - 16 Lama Tasi
I mean, it's come to something when I'm picking Lama bleeding Tasi to be in the 17. The most ineffective player we've got, but given our horrendous lack of options right now, he's almost certain to be in the squad. I just hope he's on the bench and not starting.
Interchange - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
After just coming back from injury and sitting out the weekend's game against Catalans, I would be using Murdoch-Masila on the bench here. Hopefully he could have an impact on a forwards battle that on paper, looks very scary for us.
Interchange - 34 Ben Westwood
Westwood hasn't played since May and hasn't played since the announcement of his retirement at the end of 2019. I'd like to see him involved as often as possible in the final few games, to give this legend the send-off he deserves. I'd expect him to either start at loose forward or be on the bench.
Given our form and our depleted numbers, it's extremely hard to see anything other than a comfortable St Helens victory. They are 12 points clear of us and we are in a shocking run of form, and are missing our two best players, as well as some other important members of the team. I can only assume that Price is resting players with a massive game away at Wigan the week after, which is likely to become must-win if we lose the Saints game. There was talk of this being a Challenge Cup Final dress rehearsal but both sides are likely to be very different from the ones that take to the field at Wembley.
I expect this to be a game that Saints dominate. With Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace they have players who can score from any opportunity and with Jonny Lomax, there is one of the best players in the league. I would like to see our side compete and provide Saints with some level of challenge, and if we can come away from the game pleased with our effort and draw some positives, whether that be individual performances or particular passages of play. Hopefully some of the fringe players and younger guys can show their worth and stake their claim to be involved as the business end of the season. I'm particularly interested to see how Luther Burrell, Matty Smith and Luis Johnson get on, as I think they are players that could be useful in the closing stages of the season.
Elsewhere in Super League this week, 3rd placed Hull FC travel to Wakefield, where we could do with a win for Chris Chester's side, while we'll be hoping Hull KR can spring a surprise on Friday against Wigan, who could be just two points behind us by the end of the weekend. Catalans are also not far behind us and they travel to Headingley, while bang-in-form Salford are at home to Huddersfield, and Castleford host the London Broncos. Hopefully our scoreline won't be too ugly and we avoid embarrassing ourselves. I also hope that the fans still turn out despite the form and the squad to make a good atmosphere, it was sensational when we played Saints in June. Thinking back to that game, tactically I think we need to be more positive and not go for the two if we get penalties unless they move us a score clear, as I think we were far too negative and defensive in that game.
It's always our year.
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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