SL Preview: Hull KR v St Helens

Correspondent

St Helens have the heavy hand of history on their shoulders tonight, when they make the long trans-Pennine trip to Hull KR.

Saints have not managed a Super League win at the KC Lightstream Stadium since 2007, a lengthy run which coach Keiron Cunningham claimed this week that he is ignoring.

Rovers will find it tough to end St Helens current 2015 unbeaten Super League run, especially with only two recognised props in their 19-man squad, Adam Walker and James Green.

Greg Burke misses out for the Robins with an ankle injury, so Aaron Ollett is included in the squad. There are also doubts about Liam Salter and Ben Cockayne, who sustained injuries in last week’s game against Widnes.

Darrell Goulding and Kieran Dixon are included as cover.

For Saints, Mark Flanagan returns after en eye injury, while Joe Greenwood drops out with an elbow problem. Luke Walsh is still absent, but Travis Burns is included to face his old club.

Prediction: The half-backs could be key tonight, and, in Campese and Kelly, Rovers have two halves who love the attention that a big occasion brings. I’m backing them to squeeze Rovers over the line to victory by a single point in what could be a thriller.

Hull KR (19-man squad): Blair, Boudebza, Campese, Cockayne, Dixon, Donaldson, Goulding, Green, Horne, Kelly, Larroyer, Lunt, Mantellato, McCarthy, Ollett, Salter, Sio, Walker, Welham.

St Helens (19-man squad): Makinson, Turner, Jones, Swift, Burns, Masoe, Roby, Amor, Vea, Wilkin, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Walmsley, Flanagan, Hohaia, Thompson, Richards, Dawson, Savelio, Ashworth.

Stats:

Hull KR are undefeated in their last seven home meetings with St Helens, having won six and drawn one. Saints’ last away win against the Robins was 24-18 in the Quarter Finals of the Challenge Cup on 1 June, 2008.

St Helens have won their last nine Super League matches. Their last league defeat was 17-16 at Huddersfield on 12 September, 2014.

Super League Summary:

Hull KR won 8

St Helens won 9 (includes win in 2013 play-offs)

1 draw

Hull KR highest score: 40-10 (H, 2014) (also widest margin)

St Helens highest score: 68-12 (H, 2010) (also widest margin)

Last 10 Meetings:

Hull KR 40, St Helens 10 (SLR19, 6/7/14)
St Helens 38, Hull KR 18 (SLR4, 7/3/14)
St Helens 46, Hull KR 10 (SLEPO, 14/9/13)
St Helens 12, Hull KR 24 (SLR20, 28/6/13)
Hull KR 26, St Helens 18 (CCR4, 20/4/13)
Hull KR 22, St Helens 14 (SLR11, 7/4/13)
St Helens 34, Hull KR 28 (SLR19, 29/6/12)
Hull KR 36, St Helens 36 (SLR3, 19/2/12)
Hull KR 24, St Helens 22 (SLR25, 21/8/11)
St Helens 54, Hull KR 6 (CCQF, 24/7/11)