Sam Taylor previews this season’s surprise package Huddersfield Giants visit to St Helens. This is what we have to look forward to.
FORM LINE
St Helens
Saints have got their season off to a relatively good start, despite their blip against Warrington. Saints have won three out of their four games and put in a strong performance against Sydney. Saints are particularly strong at home and their fans will expect a win against Huddersfield.
Huddersfield Giants
A lot of people were tipping the Giants to be scrapping at the bottom of the table but they won their first three games of the season. They were however beaten by a strong Wigan team last weekend.
SQUAD NEWS
St Helens
Saints will welcome back Lachlan Coote in to the 21-man squad in place of James Bentley who suffered an injury to his leg last week against Toronto. Aaron Smith missed out due to being banned for a crusher tackle. Young centre Josh Simm could make his first appearance in place of Bentley.
St Helens 21-man squad: Lachlan Coote, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Kevin Naiqama, 5, Regan Grace, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9, James Roby, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Dom Peyroux, 13. LMS, 14. Morgan Knowles, 15. Matty Lees, 16. Kyle Amor, 17, Jack Ashworth, 18. Joseph Paulo, 21, Matty Costello, 22. Jack Welsby, 26. Josh Simm, 27. Lewis Dodd.
Huddersfield Giants
Suaia Matagi will serve a one match suspension after being found guilty of tripping Bevan French last weekend.
Sam Hewitt and Jon-Luke Kirby have been named in the squad for the first time this season.
Huddersfield 21-man squad: 2. Jermaine McGillvary, 3. Jake Wardle
4. Jordan Turner, 5. Darnell McIntosh 6. Lee Gaskell 7. Aidan Sezer 8. James Gavet, 9. Adam O’Brien, 11. Kenny Edwards, 12. Joe Wardle, 13. Michael Lawrence, 15. Oliver Wilson, 16. Aaron Murphy, 17. Ukuma Ta’ai, 18. Paul Clough, 22. Tom Holmes, 23. Oliver Russell, 25. Innes Senior, 26. Sam Hewitt, 27. Sam Wood, 29. Jon Luke Kirby
KEY STAT
Saints completely dominated Huddersfield last season. They met each other three times in the league. Saints won all three with an aggregate score of 126-20.
BATTLE TO WATCH
Aidan Sezer has slotted straight into Super League seamlessly and is one of main reasons that Huddersfield are near the top of the table. His kicking game is superb and he is one of the best in league at being able to guide his team around the park.
With the likes of Sezer, Gareth Widdop and James Maloney, Super League arguably has it’s strongest set of halfbacks in many years. However many believe that Jonny Lomax is still the best in the competition. Lomax has the chance this year to show he is one of the best in the world. Lomax against Sezer will definitely be an interesting watch.
GAME DETAILS
Date: 6.3.2020
Venue: Totally Wicked Stadium
Kick-off: 19:45
