Get the lowdown ahead of Hull FC’s Betfred Super League Round 8 tie with St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Hull come off the back of a gritty 18-12 victory over Leeds Rhinos in undesirable conditions for rugby league, whilst Saints are licking their wounds from their first defeat of the season last time out.
Despite a late comeback attempt against Catalans, Kristian Woolf’s side came away from Perpignan empty handed and will be looking to bounce back against the Black & Whites.
Team News
Brett Hodgson has made just one change to his 21-man squad this week, welcoming prop forward Josh Bowden back from an elbow injury slightly earlier than initially anticipated.
Bowden takes the place of youngster Connor Wynne in the squad to travel to Merseyside.
Scott Taylor (foot), Jamie Shaul (ACL) and Masi Matongo (knee) remain unavailable for the Airlie Birds.
Saints are without both first choice wingers, with Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace ruled out.
Matty Lees, James Bentley and Jake Wingfield are also sidelined through injury.
Youngster Sam Royle has been called into Kristian Woolf’s 21-man squad.
Hull 21-man squad: Connor, Faraimo, Tuimavave, Griffin, Fonua, Reynolds, Sneyd, Houghton, Satae, Savelio, Ma’u, Sao, Johnstone, Cator, Lane, Fash, McNamara, Brown, Swift, Bowden, Scott
Saints 21-man squad: Coote, Naiqama, Percival, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Roby, Thompson, Knowles, Mata’utia, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Amor, Paasi, Welsby, Smith, Batchelor, Dodd, Simm, Norman, Davies, Royle
What’s the lowdown on the Saints?
Their first defeat of 2021 last weekend will no doubt have Kristian Woolf’s men fired up, but how much of an impact will the absence of two of their key men prove to have on the result tomorrow?
Not only are Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace prolific try scorers, but their agility and raw speed provide Saints with a boost in yardage sets.
Nonetheless, the match could be won and lost down the middle, and that is an area Saints certainly aren’t lacking in, despite the absence of Matty Lees.
England international Alex Walmsley and former New Zealand Warrior Agnatius Paasi will prove to be tough customers for Chris Satae and Ligi Sao up front, and it’s a battle that could help sway the contest one way or the other.
Ones To Watch
Hull: Manu Ma’u – The Tongan back-rower has hit a little rich vein of form since returning from a calf tear last month. His impactful, powerful runs can tire opposition defences, and his battle with his opposite second-row could prove to be interesting viewing. Ma’u ran for just under 100 metres against Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, gritting his teeth and getting through the hard yards in testing weather conditions at Headingley. He is yet to cross for a try in 2021, but he is never too far away from the whitewash with the sheer power he possesses.
Saints: Jonny Lomax – One of the deadliest players in the league, FC will need to stay switched on for the full 80 minutes to keep Lomax at bay. Both deceptive and clinical, give him an inch and he’ll take a mile. Lomax is able to throw the dummy and slice through the defensive line, as well as throw a 20 metre cutout pass to his winger, such is the quality of the 30-year-old. He is just behind Jake Connor (9) on the Super League charts for assists with eight so far this season, a number he will be hoping to add to tomorrow night.
Key Match Details
Where: Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, UK
When: Friday 28 May, 7.45pm kick-off
Coverage: Sky Sports, OuRLeague app
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