Rugby League News: Saints Facing Forward Pack Crisis
As the Super League season reaches its midpoint, St Helens are facing a significant injury crisis in their forward pack. Head coach Paul Wellens will be forced to navigate the coming weeks without several key players, leaving the reigning champions thin on options up front.
The latest setbacks came last weekend, as Jonny Lomax and Joe Batchelor both picked up injuries in the victory over Leeds. Wellens is expected to provide an update on their status during his weekly press conference, but initial indications suggest both could be sidelined for an extended period.
Their absences compound an already hefty injury list, with Alex Walmsley, Morgan Knowles, Jake Wingfield and Matt Whitley all currently out of action following recent surgery. Wellens acknowledges the depth of his pack has been severely tested, stating “the Saints are already without a number of frontline, senior forwards – leaving Wellens extremely thin on the ground for options.“
“the Saints are already without a number of frontline, senior forwards – leaving Wellens extremely thin on the ground for options.”
With Batchelor likely to join the injured list, the Saints’ options in the pack are limited. Back-rower Sam Royle appears the most likely candidate to earn a promotion to the 17-man squad, though youngster Jonny Vaughan also has experience playing in the forwards.
The loss of Lomax at half-back is another concern, with Moses Mbye the expected replacement. However, this could open the door for young half-back George Whitby to earn a shot, or force Daryl Clark to shoulder increased minutes.
The imminent return of Agnatius Paasi offers a silver lining, but Wellens has cautioned against rushing the experienced forward back into action too soon. Nonetheless, his inclusion could free up Sione Mata’utia to cover Batchelor’s edge role.
Overall, St Helens face a challenging period as they navigate this forward pack crisis. Wellens will need to draw on his squad depth and carefully manage the workloads of his available players to maintain their strong start to the season.
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