Round Two of the Super League sees a rematch of 2019's Challenge Cup Final as Wire take to the field for their first home game of 2020 against St Helens. Steve Price's team suffered a 16-10 defeat at the hands of Wigan in their first fixture but played well for large parts, while Kristian Woolf's first game in charge of Saints ended in a thoroughly convincing 48-8 victory over Salford. It is hoped and expected that these two sides will both be challenging for major honours come the end of the season so it makes for an exciting contest on Thursday night.
The squad news sees just one change - the suspended Chris Hill is out and young Ellis Robson is in. Jack Hughes and Gareth Widdop still are not available while Leilani Latu and Samy Kibula are also not included. Saints will be without captain James Roby, while full-back and goal-kicker Lachlan Coote will also miss the clash after picking up an injury last week. Tommy Makinson is out, meaning there will be an unfamiliar face on the wing but Morgan Knowles is back to start at loose forward.
Full-Back - 26 Matty Ashton
It is highly likely that Matty Ashton will keep his place at full-back. The former Swinton player was sensational on his debut last week and brought a huge amount of pace and creativity to the side as well as being very solid in defence. Price should definitely keep the faith with him - he could be the man to find the gap in a depleted Saints side.
Winger - 2 Tom Lineham
Lineham was a little ropey at Wigan, particularly in defence, although I expect him to keep his place for this one. He has scored against Saints before and will be crucial with his yardage carries early in sets, my only concern is his defensive frailties - the unnecessary rushing off his line returned against Wigan and we can't afford that against the most dangerous side in the league.
Centre - 4 Toby King
Now we move onto Toby King, who I thought was excellent in his defensive work at Wigan. I think King’s defensive abilities and physical attributes are very good - he’s good under the high ball - I just wish he had a better passing game. No doubt over his place though.
Centre - 3 Anthony Gelling
The performance of Gelling at Wigan wasn't especially impressive. His effort can't be faulted but my frustration with Gelling is that he has lapses in defence and also offers little in the way of attack. We need to see more of him drawing a defender.
Winger - 5 Josh Charnley
Last week I wrote that Charnley might as well have had the night off instead of playing at Wigan, because his team-mates didn’t get him involved at all. For Wire to have a chance in this game, the ball will need to be played out wide to Lineham and Charnley - big onus on the centres.
Stand-Off - 6 Blake Austin
The first 50 minutes of the Wigan game were Austin doing what he does well - taking the line on, breaking, assisting. The only negative on his performance was a string of poor kicks on the fifth play. You don’t get many chances against Saints - his execution will need to be better this week.
Scrum-Half - 1 Stefan Ratchford
With still no Gareth Widdop, Stefan Ratchford will continue in the halves alongside Austin. Ratchford has had some bad games against Saints in the past and I expect them to target him with their high kicks, though he’s probably safer here than at his regular position of full-back.
Prop - 15 Joe Philbin
Chris Hill’s three-game ban opens the door for Joe Philbin to start in the prop position, something that has happened so rarely in his time at Wire despite Steve Price stating his desire to see it. I hope for big stunts and a good game from Philbin - if he does well in these three games, he could be in the starting 13 for the foreseeable.
Hooker - 9 Daryl Clark
Surprisingly, Daryl Clark was a little quiet at Wigan. However, he loves the challenge of playing against Saints and always raises his game for them. We are once again robbed of a Clark v Roby battle due to the Saints’ man being injured but it will still be interesting to see how Clark manages to dictate play and the speed of the ruck.
Prop - 10 Mike Cooper
It’ll be a big night for Cooper as the main starting prop in the absence of Hill. I expect he’ll have to do a longer opening stint than usual. Wire are going to need to have plenty of possession to keep energy levels high.
Second Row - 11 Ben Currie
Despite a pretty average showing last week, Ben Currie will keep his place for Thursday. He needs a run of games for us to see whether he’s going to get back to his best or not. I hope to see some good defensive contributions from him.
Second Row - 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila
One of Wire’s star performers last week was the scorer of the team’s only try, Ben Murdoch-Masila. In the absence of Hughes, Murdoch-Masila will surely keep his spot. Saints are down in a few key positions and his strength and power could cause them problems, like it did Wigan.
Loose Forward - 14 Jason Clark
Last week was one of Jason Clark’s most positive performances for the club. He was everywhere in the early part of the game, getting some decent balls away and having no shortage of defensive contributions either. This is another chance for him to cement himself as the first-choice loose forward.
Interchange - 19 Matt Davis
Davis wasn’t in the matchday squad at Wigan and also didn’t play for the reserves against Newcastle at the weekend. He should be brought in here for his energy and work-rate, as well as his tackling ability. The natural replacement for Philbin from the bench.
Interchange - 20 Danny Walker
Danny Walker was extremely bright in his short spell on the pitch last week at Wigan. If Daryl Clark is having a quiet night like he was last week, Walker could be an explosive sub.
Interchange - 23 Luther Burrell
Burrell has looked good in pre-season and against Wigan and offers an option at second row or centre from the bench. A decent threat in front of the tryline too, which could be useful later in the game.
Interchange - 18 Sitaleki Akauola
Akauola’s short but sweet foray onto the field last week might be enough to see him keep his place on the bench over Luis Johnson. I want to see longer stints from Akauola this week, particularly given that we are already a forward down in Hill.
Last Thursday’s performance was an impressive one. Wire were the better team and were a little unlucky not to have won the match. This should give the team some encouragement for a huge night at the HJ. They beat Saints in the most recent meeting - the Challenge Cup Final - and played well enough against Wigan to suggest they’ve got a chance. My concern is that without Hill, Wire will lose the forwards battle and not be able to control the game through territory, something Alex Walmsley and Luke Thompson - the two best props in the league - will do. Saints are down on numbers with no Coote, Makinson or Roby, and so are vulnerable. Wire need to get at them and force errors, like at Wembley. Jonny Lomax will be the player who can win this game on his own for Saints - he is able to dictate the game and produce the killer plays that are just unstoppable, which is what put paid to Salford last week. The toughest game of them all and I think Saints will just have too much quality, even with a few youngsters like Jack Welsby and Matty Costello in there.
Predicted Saints team:
Welsby; Naiqama, Percival, Costello, Grace; Lomax, Fages; Walmsley, Bentley, Thompson; Taia, Peyroux; Knowles.
Interchanges: McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paulo, Ashworth, Lees
What do you think? What would your lineup be on Thursday?
Super League Round Two Predictions
Warrington v St Helens - Saints by 6-11
Castleford v Wigan - Wigan by 12-17
Hull FC v Hull KR - Hull FC by 30-35
Salford v Toronto - Salford by 18-23
Wakefield v Catalans - Catalans by 6-11
Huddersfield v Leeds - Leeds by 6-11
Daniel (@aloosewire)
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