Double injury blow for Saints

St Helens forwards Willie Manu and Anthony Laffranchi are both facing a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Manu, 34, has a dislocated and broken thumb and will miss the next six to eight weeks, while Laffranchi will be out for a month with an arm injury.

Both suffered knocks in the 30-28 win over Castleford last Friday, and their absence is a blow to Nathan Brown ahead of the Good Friday derby clash with Wigan.

He said: “Friday’s game wasn’t kind to us but we’ll be fine.

“We’re looking forward to the match and it will be a great contest. Wigan are a terrific team and what they achieved last year was big considering how tough a double is to do in the modern game.

“There is a respect between the clubs, the intensity rises and it is a big clash for both communities. The friendly game showed that too.”

Laffranchi and Manu, who both played in the World Cup last autumn for Italy and Tonga respectively, have made seven appearances each so far this season.