SL Preview: St Helens v Castleford

Correspondent

St Helens welcome Castleford to Langtree Park having not lost to the Tigers in 14 meetings.

The Tigers’ last win against the Saints was 30-24 at The Jungle on April 6, 2008. Cas have a terrible away record against Saints in the summer era, having never beaten them at Langtree, Anfield or Widnes in games since 1996.

Cas coach Daryl Powell is hoping that the additions of Matt Cook and Mike McMeeken will add some power to his pack, while Michael Shenton is looking forward to returning to his former club.

Adam Milner is also set to return to the Tigers’ matchday squad.

St Helens are without centre Jordan Turner, who was concussed during the World Club Challenge.

Paul Wellens and Andre Savelio also drop out from the squad, with Lance Hohaia, Greg Richards and Matty Dawson coming in.

Prediction: Saints will be wanting to make up for last week’s stuffing by South Sydney, but the hangover from that game could work against them. Castleford to win by 10 points.

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

Castleford (19-man squad): Shenton, Carney, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Millington, O. Holmes, Cook, Massey, Boyle, Moors, S. Moore, Wheeldon, Solomona, Finn, Tansey, Channing, McMeeken.

Stats:

Castleford’s last win at St Helens was 12-8 in the third round of the Regal Trophy on 19 December, 1992. Their last league win was 29-16 on 21 October, 1990.

St Helens‘ Tom Makinson has scored tries in his sides’ last six meetings with Castleford (2-1-3-1-1-1).

St HelensJordan Turner has scored a try in each of his sides’ last five meetings with Castleford.

Super League Summary:

St Helens won 33 (includes wins in 1999 and 2014 play-offs)

Castleford won 4

1 draw

St Helens highest score: 72-4 (A, 2006) (also widest margin)

Castleford highest score: 36-22 (H, 2002) (Widest margin: 35-16, H, 1997)

Last 10 Meetings:

St Helens 41, Castleford 0 (SLQPO, 19/9/14)
St Helens 38, Castleford 16 (SLR17, 22/6/14)
Castleford 28, St Helens 30 (SLR8, 11/4/14)
Castleford 24, St Helens 40 (SLR21, 7/7/13)
St Helens 48, Castleford 18 (SLR10, 1/4/13)
St Helens 44, Castleford 12 (SLR25, 17/8/12)
Castleford 12, St Helens 18 (SLR11, 9/4/12)
Castleford 26, St Helens 46 (SLR23, 31/7/11)
St Helens 22, Castleford 20 (SLR12, 25/4/11)
St Helens 40, Castleford 30 (SL27, 4/9/10)