Hull KR vs St Helens preview: Depleted Rovers turn to youth in search of scalp
Last Updated: 03/05/19 5:28pm
Hull KR look set to be without as many as nine players as they prepare to host Betfred Super League leaders St Helens at KCOM Craven Park on Sunday.
Captain Joel Tomkins aggravated a back problem in the defeat by Leeds Rhinos and has been left out of the 19-man squad, while Will Dagger is still out after suffering concussion against Warrington Wolves.
Mitch Garbutt, Mose Mosoe, Adam Quinlan, James Greenwood, Nick Scruton, Lee Jewitt and Tommy Lee all remain absent.
Coach Tim Sheens brings in young forwards Adam Rooks and Harry Bardle in place of injured skipper Joel Tomkins and Owen Harrison.
Frenchman Antony Maria makes his home debut while Danny Addy is expected to play after missing the game at Headingley through injury.
St Helens coach Justin Holbrook recalls captain James Roby, Lachlan Coote and Jonny Lomax, who were rested against Catalans, while Tom Makinson has recovered from a back problem and Morgan Knowles returns from suspension.
England internationals Luke Thompson and Mark Percival remain sidelined through injury.
Alex Walmsley, who captained the St Helens side to victory over Catalans last weekend, expects Rovers to provide a stiff challenge on home soil.
He told the club's official website: "They will be tough opposition especially going over to KCOM Craven Park.
"It's always a tough place to go, the crowd is always on you and there is always a good atmosphere and we always take a good number of fans too.
"They are a different animal at home and they were good the other week when they came over to the Totally Wicked.
"They have some good players in Danny McGuire and some big forwards so we are expecting a tough game and we need to make sure we take the attitude we have had for the last few weeks into Sunday."
Hull KR 19-man squad: Craig Hall, Ben Crooks, Jimmy Keinhorst, Ryan Shaw, Danny McGuire, Robbie Mulhern, Shaun Lunt, Weller Hauraki, Chris Atkin, Junior Vaivai, Danny Addy, George Lawler, Ryan Lannon, Kane Linnett, Josh Drinkwater, Will Oakes, Adam Rooks, Harry Bardle, Antoni Maria.
St Helens 19-man squad: Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Regan Grace, Theo Fages, Danny Richardson, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Zeb Taia, Joseph Paulo, Morgan Knowles, Kyle Amor, Dom Peyroux, Adam Swift, Matty Lees, Jack Ashworth, Lachlan Coote, Matty Costello, Jack Welsby.