Magic Weekend Shuffle: St Helens Brace for Spine Reshuffle Ahead of Wigan Clash
(St Helens, May 18, 2023) – St Helens will be forced to reshuffle their spine once again as they gear up to face rivals Wigan Warriors at Elland Road for Magic Weekend. The defending champions have been hit by a wave of injuries, forcing head coach Paul Wellens to get creative with his team selection.
The Saints’ 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils last week provided a much-needed confidence boost, but the joy was short-lived as the club now faces the absence of several key players. Hooker Daryl Clark (foot) and halfback Lewis Dodd (elbow) are both set to miss at least a month of action, while centre Mark Percival is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with an Achilles injury, as per the St Helens Star report.
These injuries, combined with the ongoing absence of Jack Welsby (hamstring) and the two-match suspension handed to forward Morgan Knowles, have left Wellens with limited options in the spine. However, the emergence of 18-year-old fullback Harry Robertson has been a silver lining, as the youngster has adapted seamlessly to the rigors of Super League in recent weeks.
“With Jonny Lomax still serving a three-match suspension, the halfback pairing is where Wellens faces the biggest dilemma.”
Moses Mbye is likely to take the No. 7 role, but his partner in the halves remains unclear. Ben Davies, the academy product Will Roberts, and highly-rated playmaker George Whitby are all potential options for the Saints boss to consider.
At hooker, James Bell’s defensive solidity and the impact of Jake Burns off the bench could see Wellens opt for an unconventional approach, potentially even utilizing a prop like Agnatius Paasi in the loose forward role to bolster their middle-unit against the Wigan onslaught.
As the fierce Roses rivalry takes center stage at Magic Weekend, St Helens will be hoping their makeshift spine can rise to the occasion and secure a vital victory over their perennial foes.
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