There may still be plenty of smiles on the Saints’ faithful after the Good Friday win over Wigan but thoughts are already turning to Easter Monday’s trip to Widnes, writes saintsrlfc.com
Justin Holbrook and his coaching staff have reviewed the dramatic 21-18 victory against the Warriors and have named an unchanged squad to make the short journey.
Saints’ games against Widnes, especially at the Select Security Stadium, are usually closely fought affairs, and it’s likely this one will be no different.
The Vikings come into the game on the back of a 32-18 loss to Warrington but will want to put in a stronger showing at home.
“We have to back up pretty quickly,” James Roby said. “It’s always a tough place to go. Denis Betts has them going well too so we will have to be on our game.”
Saints’ last visit to Widnes saw them lose 16-14 to a late Patrick Ah Van try.
Last Ten Meetings:
St Helens 26, Widnes 10 (SLR18, 9/6/17)
Widnes 16, St Helens 14 (SLR11, 21/4/17)
Widnes 8, St Helens 21 (SLS8-R6, 18/9/16)
St Helens 12, Widnes 10 (SLR21, 8/7/16)
Widnes 12, St Helens 20 (SLR8, 28/3/16)
St Helens 36, Widnes 20 (CCQF, 28/6/15)
St Helens 34, Widnes 16 (SLR12, 24/4/15)
Widnes 20, St Helens 30 (SLR5, 13/3/15)
St Helens 44, Widnes 22 (SLR22, 25/7/14)
Widnes 40, St Helens 26 (SLR10, 21/4/14)
Super League Summary:
Widnes won 3
St Helens won 19
Highs and Lows:
Widnes highest score: 40-26 (H, 2014) (also widest margin)
St Helens highest score: 62-0 (H, 2012) (also widest margin)
Milestones:
James Roby is set to make his 450th career appearance in the match.
The hooker has played 407 games for the club since 2004, to go with representative appearances for Great Britain (7 Tests, 2006-2007) and England (35 games, 2008-2013, 2015 & 2017).
He is also one try away from a century of touchdowns for the club He has scored 99 tries in 407 games for the Saints since 2004.
Kyle Amor will reach 250 career appearances if he plays.
He has played 117 times for St Helens since 2014, and was previously with Wakefield (79 games, 2011-2013), Leeds (3 games, 2010) and Whitehaven (45 games, 2009-2010).
He has also represented Ireland 5 times (2011 & 2017).
Tommy Makinson needs two tries to reach a century of touchdowns for the club.
He has scored 98 tries in 175 games for the Saints since 2011.
Saints have named an unchanged 19-man squad for Easter Monday’s trip to Widnes Vikings
Justin Holbrook has no fresh injury concerns following the win over Wigan on Friday.
He will therefore select his 17 from:
1. Jonny Lomax, 2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Ryan Morgan, 4. Mark Percival, 6. Theo Fages, 7. Matty Smith, 9. James Roby, 10. Kyle Amor, 11. Zeb Taia, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 14. Luke Douglas, 15. Morgan Knowles, 16. Luke Thompson, 17. Dom Peyroux, 18. Danny Richardson, 19. Regan Grace, 20. Matty Lees, 23. Ben Barba.
Denis Betts will choose his Widnes 17 from:
2. Stefan Marsh, 4. Charly Runciman, 6. Joseph Mellor, 7. Thomas Gilmore, 10. Alex Gerrard, 14. Christopher Dean, 15. Danny Craven, 16. Thomas Olbison, 17. Samuel Wilde, 19. Greg Burke, 20. Macgraff Leuluai, 21. Jordan Johnstone, 22. Ryan Ince, 23. Danny Walker, 24. Edward Chamberlain, 26. Edward Chapelhow, 28. Bradley Walker, 30. Keanan Brand, 36. Wellington Albert.
The referee for the game will be C Kendall.
