SAINTS have announced their squad for Friday’s Super League Elimination Semi Final at Leeds Rhinos.
Joe Greenwood comes in for Anthony Walker in the only change from last week’s 19 man roster.
Nathan Brown will choose from:
1. Paul Wellens, 3. Jordan Turner, 4. Sia Soliola, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Lance Hohaia, 7. Jonny Lomax, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 11. Tony Puletua, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 16. Paul Clough, 19. Josh Jones, 21. Tommy Makinson, 24. Joe Greenwood, 25. Alex Walmsley, 26. Adam Swift, 36. Stuart Howarth.
Brian McDermott will choose his Leeds side from:
1. Zak Hardaker, 2. Ben Jones-Bishop, 3. Kallum Watkins, 4. Joel Moon, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Danny McGuire, 7. Rob Burrow, 8. Kylie Leuluai, 10. Jamie Peacock, 11. Jamie Jones-Buchanan, 12. Carl Ablett, 13. Kevin Sinfield, 15. Brett Delaney, 16. Ryan Bailey, 17. Ian Kirke, 18. Chris Clarkson, 19. Mitch Achurch, 23. Brad Singleton, 26. Liam Sutcliffe.
The game kicks off at 8pm and the referee is Phil Bentham.
Stat Pack:
Leeds’ Kevin Sinfield has scored points in fifteen consecutive games against St Helens, a streak which started in the 2008 Super League Grand Final. He last failed to score in the 2008 Qualifying Semi-Final at Knowsley Road, where he missed his one goal attempt in a 38-10 defeat.
Friday’s game will be only the second time the clubs have met in the play-offs at Headingley – Leeds emerged victorious, 44-16, in the 1998 Final Eliminator.
St Helens have won on their last three visits to Headingley however, with the Rhinos’ last home win against the Saints coming 28-24 on 3 July, 2010.
Last 10 Meetings:
Leeds 22, St Helens 30 (SLR15, 20/5/13)
St Helens 12, Leeds 20 (SLR5, 1/3/13)
Leeds 18, St Helens 31 (SLR14, 21/5/12)
St Helens 46, Leeds 6 (SLR8, 25/3/12)
Leeds 32, St Helens 16 (SLGF, 8/10/11) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
St Helens 42, Leeds 16 (SLR16, 3/6/11) (at Stobart Stadium, Widnes)
Leeds 16, St Helens 30 (SLR6, 19/3/11)
Leeds 32, St Helens 28 (CCSF, 7/8/10) (at Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield)
Leeds 28, St Helens 24 (SLR20, 3/7/10)
St Helens 41, Leeds 20 (SLR12, 24/4/10)
Previous Play-off Meetings:
Leeds 32, St Helens 16 (SLGF, 8/10/11) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Leeds 18, St Helens 10 (SLGF, 10/10/09) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
Leeds 24, St Helens 16 (SLGF, 4/10/08) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
St Helens 38, Leeds 10 (SLQSF, 19/9/08)
Leeds 33, St Helens 6 (SLGF, 13/10/07) (at Old Trafford, Manchester)
St Helens 10, Leeds 8 (SLQSF, 28/9/07)
St Helens 16, Leeds 19 (SLQSF, 30/9/05)
St Helens 38, Leeds 30 (SLEPO, 22/9/01)
St Helens 38, Leeds 14 (SLQPO, 17/9/99)
Leeds 44, St Helens 16 (SLFE, 18/10/98)
Super League Summary:
Leeds won 24 (includes wins in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 Grand Finals; 1998 and 2005 play-offs)
St Helens won 28 (includes wins in 1999, 2001, 2007 and 2008 play-offs)
Highs and Lows:
Leeds highest score: 74-16 (H, 2001) (Widest margin: 70-0, H, 2004)
St Helens highest score: 62-18 (H, 1999) (Widest margin: 56-10, H, 2004)
Personal Milestones:
Paul Wellens remains one point away from 1,000 in his career. He has scored 953 points (218 tries, 40 goals, 1 field goal) for St Helens since 1998. He has also scored points for Great Britain (18 – 4 tries, 1 goal), England (16 – 4 tries) and Lancashire (12 – 3 tries).
Ade Gardner needs one try to reach 200 career touchdowns. His total of 199 has been scored as follows: 173 for St Helens (2002-2013), 15 for Barrow (2000-2001), 2 for Great Britain (2006-2007), 2 for England (2008) and 7 for England ‘A’ (2002-2003). He has also made three non-scoring appearances for Cumbria (2003-2004 & 2010).
Francis Meli needs one try to reach 150 whilst in the British game. He has touched down 145 times for St Helens since 2006, to go with 4 tries for The Exiles (2011-2012). He is also 12 points away from 500 points in Super League (488 for St Helens, 2006-2013).
Adam Swift (1-1-1-2-3) has scored tries in Saints’ last five games.
