Cunningham enjoying Saints selection headaches

St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham is delighted that his players are giving him problems to consider when it comes to picking his team.

Saints welcome Warrington to Langtree Park on Thursday evening, and Cunningham has admitted that last week’s win over Widnes has left him pondering which players to leave out.

“I’ll have a few selection headaches this week,” he said.

“Matty Dawson, who has been on the fringes little bit, came in and played really well.

“Lance Hoihaia had a great game at 9 for us, he was really reliable.

“It’s going to be a tough pick, but that means we get a strong squad.”

Cunningham is also anticipating a tough test from a Warrington team he has been impressed by this season.

“I thought it was a great performance by Warrington against Leeds,” he said.

“That looked like a well-drilled, well-coached Warrington side, and they dominated the game from start to finish.

“We know what to expect this week, and it’s not going to be any different.

“We’re top of the league, but for me it doesn’t count for anything. You’re only as good as your last performance, in my eyes.

“We were pretty good in the second half against Widnes, so I’d like to think we can carry a bit of that form into the Warrington game.

“You get Kyle Amor back, you get James Roby back, and you’re a little bit stronger again.

“So I’d like to think we can get a complete performance this week.

“We know what to expect from Warrington. We know that they’re resilient.

“They’ve got a bit of steel in the forwards.

“But I’d like to think that we’re a pretty decent side ourselves.

“When we’re on the money and playing well, I’d like to think that we can give Warrington a good game.

“It’s always a big crowd against Warrington, and a very vocal crowd.

“It’s been happy pickings at Langtree for Warrington in the last few years, so it’s going to be difficult for us.

“But we’re ready for the challenge. That’s why you play rugby league, and pull that shirt on every week to play St Helens.

“It’s because you want to be involved in big games and test yourself against the good sides, and see where you’re actually at.

“We’ve been on a good run. We had a bit of hiccup with Souths.

“Warrington have found some good form themselves.

“So it’ll be very interesting. But I think it wil be really close.”