Saints Head Coach Justin Holbrook has revealed that his senior players, who were rested against Catalans, will come straight back into the fold for the trip to face Hull KR on Sunday.
Lachlan Coote, Jonny Lomax and James Roby all missed the impressive win over Catalans last week as the young boys came to the fore, whilst Tommy Makinson, who had a slight back problem and Morgan Knowles who was serving a one match ban, did not feature.
And Holbrook admitted, although it will be tough to leave some of the impressive young performers out, his senior figures will all, injury permitting, be included in the 19 man squad to be named on Friday ahead of the return clash with Tim Sheens men.
“Robes, Cootie, Jonny and Tommy Mak will all come straight back in and I am not completely sure on my 17 yet, but everyone is playing well which is great for us and it will be hard to leave some boys out and that is the hardest part of the job but it is something we have to do.”
Holbrook paid credit to the youth set up at the club following their dominant display over the French outfit whilst also singling out Alex Walmsley, leading by example as captain.
“It was the right thing to do [to rest players] going into the game off the back of Good Friday and Easter Monday so we had to be smart about it as the players were physically exhausted. It gave us a chance to rest a few and bring the young guys in and we got a great result.
“I thought all the young boys were tremendous. I think most of all led by Alex Walmsley at the front. He got to captain the side and he was proud of that and he really led with his actions along with Zeb Taia and I thought both were fantastic with their experience.
OH SIT DOWN! ✋
OH SIT DOWN! ✋
OH SIT DOWN! ✋
Sit down next to meeee … ?
Big @engywalmsley leading by example yesterday! ??#saintsandproud pic.twitter.com/UTfG4kScFN
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) April 29, 2019
“We have got a great academy set up here and you need to call upon the young guys especially in these busy times we go through so to have the luxury to have the quality of our young kids [is great] and we knew they would play well, but we did not expect that score-line, but we knew they would be good enough for us to win. Everyone wants to be in our 17 and they are all itching for an opportunity to play in the first team so when they are given the chance they are all playing really well so we have got a really good mix and that is great.”
Next up for Saints is a trip to KCOM Craven Park to face Hull KR on Sunday and Holbrook has highlighted the dangerous threat of the Rovers’ halves.
“They have been doing it tough with a lot of injuries which is why they have been inconsistent, but they nearly knocked off Leeds at the weekend and they have got experience players like Danny McGuire and Josh Drinkwater to steer them round so we have to make sure we do a good job there and that we are ready to go on Sunday.”
Holbrook went on to credit the Saints Community Development Foundation for their work in upping the Totally Wicked Stadium attendance at our triple header on Sunday and you can watch the full interview in the video below.
Watch the full interview with Holbrook
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