Saints v Bulls: Teams
Leon Pryce is free to play for St Helens against a Bradford side that is likely to include new recruit Julien Renaldi.
Last Updated: 23/04/09 3:56pm
Leon Pryce is free to play for St Helens on Friday night against a Bradford side that is likely to include new recruit Julien Renaldi.
Stand-off Pryce escaped a prison term after being sentenced for assault at Bradford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. He was ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work.
Saints will be without prop Jason Cayless, though, as he faces 10 weeks on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his shoulder.
However, second-rower Chris Flannery is in line for a return after recently missing out due to a foot injury and a period of compassionate leave.
Despite their opponents struggling down at the wrong end of the table, coach Mick Potter has warned his Saints squad not to take the Bulls lightly.
"You hope there is no complacency," he said. "When a team is down, that is the time they bounce back and sting you, as they did against Leeds.
"We've got to be wary of that and also they have some quality personnel. They've still got Terry Newton, Sam Burgess and Steve Menzies and David Solomona is so dangerous every time he touches the ball."
Rinaldi included
New recruit Rinaldi is included in Bradford's squad, despite only arriving earlier this week from Australia.
The former Harlequins hooker will fill in for Wayne Godwin, whilst club captain Paul Deacon is still sidelined after exploratory knee surgery.
The Frenchman played under Potter at Catalans Dragons and the Saints boss remains a fan.
"I rate Julien and I wanted him to stay at Catalans but the offer from Harlequins was too good to knock back," said Potter, who knows just what to expect from the 30 year-old.
"He's a good half-back and a good nine and he'll do a good job for Bradford. He's a good fella and he'll play 80 minutes for you and tackle his heart out."
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Meli, Pryce, Long, Cunningham, Graham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery, Roby, Hargreaves, Puletua, Clough, Eastmond, Dean, Wheeler, Fa'asavalu.
Bradford squad: Cook, Langley, Sheriffe, Burgess, Sykes, Scruton, Menzies, Newton, Whitehead, Rinaldi, Halley, Olbison, Lynch, Kopczak, Jeffries, Tadulala, Worrincy, Platt, Solomona.