Saints v Rhinos: Teams
St Helens and Leeds both welcome back key players for Friday night's 2008 Grand Final re-match.
Last Updated: 18/03/09 3:14pm
St Helens and Leeds both welcome back key players for Friday night's 2008 Grand Final re-match at the GPW Recruitment Stadium.
The two Super League heavyweights will clash for the first time since the Rhinos triumphed 24-16 at Old Trafford to be crowned champions for the second successive year.
Francis Meli has not featured for Saints since that fixture having only arrived back in England recently due to red tape issues over his visa renewal.
The former New Zealand Test winger trained for the first time under new coach Mick Potter on Wednesday but will not be rushed back.
Instead the 29-year-old, who played for Samoa in the World Cup, could play for the reserves against Leeds' second string before the main event.
Double boost
However, the hosts are boosted by the return of Lee Gilmour from injury and the availability of Maurie Fa'asavalu, who was suspended for last week's 38-12 win over Salford.
Tony Puletua is still out with a groin problem though, while Andrew Dixon faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering wrist ligament damage.
Defending champions Leeds head out on their travels looking to make it six wins from six at the start of the 2009 campaign.
The Rhinos comfortably saw off Wigan on home soil last time out and will hope for a repeat result of their last meeting with Saints.
The victory over the Warriors did come at a price, though, Ali Lauitiiti picking up a leg injury that means he will miss out this week.
But hooker Matt Diskin is back to boost the pack and centre Keith Senior is also set to make his comeback after a spell on the sidelines.
As well as the last game against Wigan, the duo had also missed the away victory at Warrington the previous week.
St Helens squad: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Pryce, Long, Cayless, Cunningham, Graham, Gilmour, Wilkin, Flannery, Roby, Hargreaves, Clough, Wheeler, Fa'asavalu, Ashurst, Armstrong, Emmitt.
Leeds squad: Webb, Donald, Smith, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Sinfield, Diskin, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Burgess, Gibson, Allan, Watkins.