Tigers v Saints: Teams
Castleford and St Helens clash at the PROBIZ Coliseum off the back of contrasting derby results on Good Friday.
Last Updated: 08/04/12 12:59pm
Castleford and St Helens clash at the PROBIZ Coliseum off the back of contrasting derby results on Good Friday.
The Tigers mauled Wakefield 34-16 to make it two Stobart Super League wins in a row, though victory at the home over their neighbours came at a price.
Rangi Chase, who was the star of the show against the Wildcats, having a hand in all but one of his side's six tries, is amongst a lengthy list of seven players to be missing from Castleford's squad.
He is joined on the sidelines by regular half-back partner Danny Orr, full-back Richard Owen, winger Nick Youngquest, hooker Daryl Clark and forward duo Oliver Holmes and Grant Millington.
Coach Ian Millward has recalled James Clare, Steve Nash, Ryan Hudson and James Grehan, while back-rower John Davies is included for the first time this season.
Opportunities
But with his squad stretched to the limits over the busy Easter period, Millward could also be set to hand debuts to academy duo Ben Johnson and Josh Atkinson.
"I said going into this period that unfit players wouldn't play and I'm excited about the opportunities for the guys playing on Monday," the Australian told the club's official website.
St Helens, meanwhile, head out on the road looking to bounce back from their tough loss to arch rivals Wigan at Langtree Park.
To rub salt in their wounds, half-back Jonny Lomax and second rower Jon Wilkin were both forced off with injuries during the game, ruling them out of the trip to Castleford.
Tommy Makinson is also unavailable but his place at full-back will be taken by the returning Paul Wellens, who is back from a one-match ban.
Anthony Laffranchi, who also had to sit out the clash with the Warriors due to suspension, will be welcomed back into the front row, while Gary Wheeler has recovered from a knock picked up in the recent win over Leeds Rhinos.
Coach Mike Rush, who suffered his first defeat since taking charge with the reverse against Wigan, has also called up Adam Swift to his 19-man squad.
Castleford: Dixon, Griffin, Emmitt, Ferres, Walker, Snitch, Jones, Milner, Hudson, Mitchell, Massey, McGoldrick, Nash, Thompson, Clare, Davies, Grehan, Johnson, Atkinson.
St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Shenton, Soliola, Meli, Hohaia, Perry, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Flannery, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Clough, Wheeler, Magennis, Dixon, J. Jones, Swift.