Saints v Rovers - Teams
Former Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe is expected to start against Hull KR as the champions bid to close the gap on Leeds.
Last Updated: 05/06/08 12:02pm
Former Great Britain captain Paul Sculthorpe is expected to start against Hull KR as the champions bid to close the gap on leaders Leeds.
Sculthorpe has recovered from a pectoral injury and although he did not feature in last week's Challenge Cup win at Craven Park, he is set to line up this week against Rovers.
Centre Willie Talau is a doubt with a facial injury, with Saints coach Daniel Anderson commenting: "Willie Talau has a gash under his eye to his nose so he could be a doubt but Scully should play. He is chomping at the bit to get going."
Both Keiron Cunningham and Francis Meli will hit significant milestones in the match. Hooker Cunningham will make his 450th career appearance, with winger Meli clocking up his 200th.
Anderson added on the Saints website: "Sunday was mentally and physically demanding for the players, but I'm sure we will be ready for Friday. We play the five teams closest to us in the League over the next few weeks so it is crucial that we keep on winning."
Hull KR have named stand-off Paul Cooke in their squad, but plan to discipline the former Hull star after he was fined £300 by magistrates and banned from driving for 16 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving.
Rovers have not won at St Helens since 1985.
St. Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Cunningham, Cayless, Gilmour, Wilkin, Sculthorpe, Roby, Flannery, Graham, Hargreaves, Clough, Tyrer, Fa'asavalu.
Hull Kingston Rovers squad: Briscoe, Fox, Walker, J. Webster, Fitzhenry, Cooke, Dobson, Vella, Fisher, Crossman, Newton, Gene, Chester, Cockayne, Mills, Lovegrove, K. Netherton, Steel, J. Netherton.