SL Preview: Widnes v St Helens

Widnes are looking for the first ever Super League win over St Helens on Sunday, and new signing Gareth Hock could make his Vikings debut.

Hock, on loan from Wigan, is named in the 19-man squad having missed the opening day victory over London with a shoulder injury. That was the first time Widnes had won their opening Super League game at the sixth attempt.

There is also return to the Vikings squad for Cameron Phelps, while full-back Shaun Briscoe is likely to return having sat out on Sunday.

Saints, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s shock 40-4 defeat at home to Huddersfield.

Their squad is unchanged, with Ade Gardner, Anthony Walker (both Whitehaven) and Alex Walmsley (Batley) expected to play in the Championship on dual-registration.

Widnes 19-man squad: Allen, Briscoe, Cahill, Clarke, Cross, Flynn, Gerrard, Hanbury, Hock, Isa, Joseph, Leuluai, Marsh, Mellor, O’Carroll, Phelps, Pickersgill, White, Winterstein.

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.

Prediction: Widnes ran Saints close at home twice last season, but are likely to face a backlash from Nathan Brown’s men – away win.

Stats:

Widnes are seeking their first Super League victory against St Helens on Sunday afternoon.

St Helens have won the last 15 games between the sides (eight away fixtures), with Widnes’ last victory coming at home, 20-17 in the Stones Bitter Championship, on April 4, 1994.

Super League summary:

Widnes won 0
St Helens won 11
Widnes highest losing score. 23-24 (H, 2012)
St Helens highest score. 62-0 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)