Hull FC v St Helens: Teams
Hull FC-bound Sean Long will be the centre of attention when he runs out for St Helens on Friday night.
Last Updated: 04/06/09 3:58pm
Hull FC-bound Sean Long will be the centre of attention when he runs out for St Helens at the KC Stadium on Friday night.
The veteran scrum-half, who has agreed to join the Airlie Birds on a two-year deal at the end of the season, will run out against his future team-mates on Friday night.
The hosts come into the game on the back of eight defeats in their last 10 matches, but coach Richard Agar still expects Long to get a good reception.
"We are getting the most decorated player in the game at the moment," said Agar. "He controls the team and brings big game experience and as far as I'm concerned he is the best at what he does.
"I think initially he will get an exceptionally good reception. I hope he does and gets to experience the passionate atmosphere of the KC Stadium.
"At the same time, we've got to respect the fact that Sean has got a job to do for Saints, not only tomorrow night, but for the rest of the year."
Agar has named an unchanged 19-man squad for the match at the KC Stadium from the one that went down 46-16 to champions Leeds Rhinos last time out.
Under pressure scrum-half Chris Thorman is expected to lead the same 17 that ran out at Headingley with Jodie Broughton and Dominic Maloney missing out.
Record
Victory over Hull would take Saints level with an engage Super League record of 15 consecutive away wins set by Bradford in 1997, meanwhile.
The league leaders have not lost away since going down at Castleford on April 6, 2008, and coach Mick Potter is confident midfield general Long will continue to marshall the troops effectively.
"He has secured his future which is good for a rugby league player and I'm sure he will want to finish on a high note for us," said Potter.
"He has been good for the club this year and is a real ambassador for the Saints. He will now get on with the job and this Friday no doubt show Hull he will be good value for them whilst remaining good for us too."
Three-quarters Francis Meli and Lee Gilmour make their returns from injury in the 19-man squad, while Gary Wheeler has been omitted after picking up a knock in the Challenge Cup quarter-final win at Gateshead. Jacob Emmitt is the other player to make way.
Hull FC squad: Berrigan, Burnett, Broughton, Calderwood, Dowes, Houghton, R. Horne, King, Lee, Maloney, Moa, Radford, Raynor, Tony, Thackray, Thorman, Tickle, Whiting, Yeaman.
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gidley, Meli, Pryce, Long, Cunningham, Graham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery, Roby, Hargreaves, Puletua, Clough, Eastmond, Dean, Fa'asavalu, Ashurst, Lomax.