SAINTS have announced their squad for Saturday’s Super League XVIII opener with Huddersfield Giants at Langtree Park.
Nathan Brown has a strong squad to choose from with only Paul Clough unavailable through injury.
The squad is:
1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax, 8. Josh Perry, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 15. Mark Flanagan, 19. Josh Jones, 20. Lee Gaskell, 21. Tommy Makinson, 24. Joe Greenwood.
Paul Anderson’s Huddersfield side will be chosen from:
1. Scott Grix, 2. Luke George, 3. Leroy Cudjoe, 4. Joe Wardle, 5. Jermaine McGillvary, 6. Danny Brough, 7. Luke Robinson, 8. Eorl Crabtree, 9. Shaun Lunt, 10. Craig Kopczak, 11. Brett Ferres, 12. Luke O’Donnell, 13. David Faiumu, 15. Larne Patrick, 16. Jason Chan, 18. Aaron Murphy, 19. Jamie Cording, 21. Dale Ferguson, 29. Stuart Fielden.
The game kicks off at 4.45pm and the referee is Richard Silverwood.
Tickets are on sale for the game too and details are here.
Stat Pack:
Huddersfield are seeking their first away win against St Helens in the summer era on Saturday evening – all five of the Giants’ Super League wins against the Saints have come at home.
Huddersfield’s last league win at St Helens was 16-15 at Knowsley Road on 26 November, 1978 – with Saints winning 19 successive home competitive fixtures since then.
Last Ten Meetings:
St Helens 46, Huddersfield 12 (SLR22, 29/7/12)
Huddersfield 17, St Helens 16 (SLR5, 4/3/12)
St Helens 19, Huddersfield 6 (SLR24, 12/8/11)
Huddersfield 40, St Helens 18 (SLR14, 14/5/11)
St Helens 42, Huddersfield 22 (SLQSF, 24/9/10)
St Helens 30, Huddersfield 22 (SLR17, 11/6/10)
Huddersfield 6, St Helens 24 (SLR8, 28/3/10)
St Helens 15, Huddersfield 2 (SLQPO, 19/9/09)
St Helens 12, Huddersfield 10 (SLR25, 21/8/09)
Huddersfield 24, St Helens 14 (CCSF, 9/8/09) (@ Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington)
Super League Summary:
St Helens won 28 (includes wins in 2009 & 2010 play-offs)
Huddersfield won 5
Highs and Lows:
St Helens highest score: 68-18 (H, 1998) (Widest margin: 68-18, H, 1998; 54-4, H, 2007)
Huddersfield highest score: 40-18 (H, 2011) (also widest margin)
Other Milestones:
FRANCIS MELI needs one appearance to reach 200 for St Helens.
Meli, who has scored 129 tries in his 199 games for the club, made his Saints debut in a 40-16 win against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on 11 February, 2006.
PAUL CLOUGH is one appearance away from 150 (149 for St Helens, 2005-2012).
JORDAN TURNER is one appearance away from 100 (32 for Salford, 2006-2007 & 2009 and 67 for Hull FC, 2010-2012).
