Preview: St Helens v Huddersfield

Nathan Brown takes charge of his first game at St Helens on Saturday night, ironically against former club Huddersfield.

Brown left the Giants midway through last season following an alarming downturn in form, after the announcement he was to take up the post at Langtree Park in 2013.

After five trophyless years, Saints will be looking to bring in some silverware, and they certainly have the credentials to do just that.

Back-rower Willie Manu could be one of the signings of the season, and a Saints back-row that also includes Tony Puletua and Jon Wilkin offers a mouth-watering prospect.

As for the Giants, Paul Anderson has set about stamping his authority on the squad by recruiting a huge pack, and they will no doubt take the game to Saints up the middle.

The two side’s met in a pre-season game just three weeks ago, with Saints running away comfortable winners, and nilling their opponents.

St Helens 19-man squad: Wellens, Gardner, Turner, Soliola, Meli, Hohaia, Lomax, Perry, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Wilkin, Manu, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Jones, Gaskell, Makinson, Greenwood.

Huddersfield 19-man squad: Grix, George, Cudjoe, Wardle, McGillvary, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, O’Donnell, Faiumu, Patrick, Chan, Murphy, Cording, Ferguson, Fielden.

Prediction: Perfect start for Brown – home win

Stats:

Huddersfield are seeking their first away win against St Helens in the summer era on Saturday evening – all five of the Giants’ Super League wins against the Saints have come at home.

Huddersfield’s last league win at St Helens was 16-15 at Knowsley Road on 26 November, 1978 – with Saints winning 19 successive home competitive fixtures since then.

Last 10 meetings:

St Helens 46, Huddersfield 12 (SLR22, 29/7/12)
Huddersfield 17, St Helens 16 (SLR5, 4/3/12)
St Helens 19, Huddersfield 6 (SLR24, 12/8/11)
Huddersfield 40, St Helens 18 (SLR14, 14/5/11)
St Helens 42, Huddersfield 22 (SLQSF, 24/9/10)
St Helens 30, Huddersfield 22 (SLR17, 11/6/10)
Huddersfield 6, St Helens 24 (SLR8, 28/3/10)
St Helens 15, Huddersfield 2 (SLQPO, 19/9/09)
St Helens 12, Huddersfield 10 (SLR25, 21/8/09)
Huddersfield 24, St Helens 14 (CCSF, 9/8/09)
(at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)

Super League summary:

St Helens won 28 (includes wins in 2009 & 2010 play-offs)
Huddersfield won 5
St Helens highest score: 68-18 (H, 1998) (Widest margin: 68-18, H, 1998; 54-4, H, 2007)
Huddersfield highest score: 40-18 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)