SUPER 8S PREVIEW: St Helens v Wigan
After last week’s high-scoring win over Castleford, St Helens will be looking to tighten up their defence for the visit of Wigan to Langtree Park.
Alex Walmsley returns to the squad following an ankle injury, while Mose Masoe is also included after recovering from a leg problem.
Atelea Vea is also named in coach Keiron Cunningham‘s 19-man squad.
Wigan are boosted by the presence in their squad of iconic forward Sean O’Loughlin.
A victory for the Warriors will see them claim a home semi-final tie in the play-offs.
St Helens (19-man squad): Makinson, Turner, Jones, Swift, Burns, Walsh, Masoe, Roby, Amor, Vea, Wilkin, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Flanagan, Percival, Thompson, Richards, Greenwood, Savelio, Quinlan.
Wigan (19-man squad): Bateman, Bowen, Burgess, Charnley, Clubb, Crosby, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Gildart, Hampshire, McIlorum, Mossop, O’Loughlin, Patrick, Powell, Smith, Tomkins, Williams.
Stats:
Wigan’s Joe Burgess has scored a try in each of the Warriors’ last five meetings with St Helens.
Jordan Turner needs one try to reach a career century of touchdowns. His total of 99 has been scored as follows: 24 for Salford (2006-2009), 34 for Hull FC (2010-2012), 39 for St Helens (2013-2015) and 2 for England Knights (2012).
Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook needs one appearance to reach 150 for St Helens. ‘LMS’ made his Saints debut in a 16-16 Magic Weekend draw with Wigan at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on 12 February, 2011.
Super League Summary:
St Helens won 31 (includes wins in 2000 and 2014 Grand Finals & wins in 2000, 2002, 2009 and 2011 play-offs)
Wigan won 32 (includes win in 2010 Grand Final & wins in 2001, 2003 and 2004 play-offs)
Four draws
St Helens highest score: 57-16 (MM, 2008) (also widest margin
Wigan highest score: 65-12 (A, 1997) (also widest margin)
Last 10 Meetings:
St Helens 30, Wigan 14 (SLR18, 12/6/15)
Wigan 12, St Helens 4 (SLR8, 3/4/15)
St Helens 14, Wigan 6 (SLGF, 11/10/14) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Wigan 12, St Helens 16 (SLR18, 27/6/14)
St Helens 14, Wigan 33 (SLR9, 18/4/14)
St Helens 22, Wigan 16 (SLR22, 22/7/13)
Wigan 28, St Helens 16 (SLR9, 29/3/13)
Wigan 18, St Helens 26 (SLR27, 7/9/12)
St Helens 16, Wigan 42 (SLR15, 27/5/12) (at Etihad Stadium, Manchester)
Wigan 18, St Helens 4 (CCQF, 12/5/12)