SAINTS have announced their 19-man squad for Friday's First Utility Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Adam Swift returns to the side in place of Luke Thompson.

Nathan Brown will choose from:

2. Tommy Makinson, 3. Jordan Turner (pictured), 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift, 8. Mose Masoe, 9. James Roby, 10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 11. Sia Soliola, 13. Willie Manu, 14. Anthony Laffranchi, 15. Mark Flanagan, 16. Kyle Amor, 17. Paul Wellens, 18. Alex Walmsley, 22. Mark Percival, 24. Gary Wheeler, 26. Matty Dawson, 27. Greg Richards, 38. Shannon McDonnell.

James Webster will choose his Wakefield side from:

3. Dean Collis, 5. Reece Lynne, 6. Paul Sykes, 8. Scott Anderson, 9. Paul McShane, 10. Andy Raleigh, 11. Ali Lauitiiti, 12. Danny Kirmond, 13. Danny Washbrook, 14. Matt Wildie, 17. Taulima Tautai, 20. Jarrod Sammut, 23. Daniel Smith, 25. Max Jowitt, 26. Jon Molloy, 31. Chris Riley, 33. Richard Owen, 34. Lee Gilmour, 35. Tim Smith.

The game kicks off at 8pm and the referee will be Phil Bentham.

Considering Brown has referred to drastic changes, I imagine either McDonnell will come in or even Swift to 1 or 6.

Yeah, I agree. I don't think we will have the same spine as against Hull anyway.

Cas are resting dixon, shenton, webster, dorn, sneyd and clark for their game against Warrington.

I didn't realise the final was so soon until I've just looked. That's useful to know for my handicap betting anyway!

I know this would not be everyones cup of tea and certainly not the team that will play, but it's a line up that I would give a whirl.


38. Shannon McDonnell.
2. Tommy Makinson,
3. Jordan Turner,
22. Mark Percival,
4. Josh Jones,
24. Gary Wheeler,
5. Adam Swift,
18. Alex Walmsley,
9. James Roby,
16. Kyle Amor,
11. Sia Soliola,
15. Mark Flanagan,
10. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook,

8. Mose Masoe,
14. Anthony Laffranchi,
27. Greg Richards,
13. Willie Manu,

Apparently Swift played 6 for Rochdale/Whitehaven t'other week & scored 2 tries.

I wouldnt see the point of naming Wellens, Mcdonnell, Swift and Dawson, if they were all fighting over 2 spots...

Wellens
Makinson Turner Percival McDonnell
Swift Wheeler
Amor Roby Walmsley
Flanaghan Manu
Soliola

Masoe LMS Laffranchi Jones

Dawson and Richards to miss out

I'd like to see swift at 6, just to see if his pace has some effect there, his possibly questioned defence won't be so exposed there either

McDonnell
Makinson, Turner, Percival, Swift/Dawson
Wello, Wheeler
Amor, Roby, Walmsley
Sia, Jones
Manu

Subs: Masoe, LMS, Laffranchi, Flanagan

Miss out: Richards, Dawson/Swift

McDonnell
Makinson, Turner, Percival, Dawson
Swift, Wellens
Amor, Roby, Walmsley
Manu, Flanagan
Soliola

Subs: Jones, Masoe, LMS, Laffranchi

Swift is untried at SL level as a 6, but after watching the shambles of Turner & Wheeler at Hull I very much doubt he could be any worse. McDonnell must play this week for me, or he is the most pointless signing we have ever made as he wont play a game for us imo as it would be a risk to bring him in to test against Leeds, Wire or Hudds then we are into playoffs)

I agree. I named the same 17 on redvee the other day.

www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/sai ... 1409500._/ Sounds like its gonna be wheeler and wellens...

www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/sai ... 1409500._/ Sounds like its gonna be wheeler and wellens...

McDonnell
Makinson
Percy
Jones
Dawson
Wheeler
Wello
Amor
Roby
Walmsley
Laffranchi
Manu
Turner

Sia
Mose
Lms
Flash

Swift not a happy chappy. Interesting 17 Brown has chosen.

Yup. Seems like we losing a forward to compensate for no halves.

That combination does not inspire me. To be fair Wello was ok at 6 earlier in the year, but Wheelers having a mare at the moment, seems to have lost his MOJO, perhaps he's been told he wont be retained? That should make a player play out of his skin to get a deal elsewhere though...

Can't believe a soft as sh*t player like Turner playing loose.

Ive called for it a couple of times this season. Im intrigued to see how it will work.

It could be a godsend - he spent most of his youth playing there, he can be physical, and his positioning issues are easier masked in the middle. We have complained for many years about not having a specialist 13 - and he could be that man. Especially considering Percival and Jones will look for more and more time in the centres.

Of course, it could be a disaster too ... [iAnd[/i break up our best strike force in him and Makinson ... Time will tell

Our pack has been dominated to melt times this year and with Turner in there it's going to be even weaker. We are effectively playing with 5 man pack as Turner won't do the hard work that's still needed be a "specialist" 13.

I imagine he will play as a 6 which means he will do that silly hop skip and jump and drop the ball inside which is so predictable it's unreal.

I think the days of specialist 13 have gone now. Probably jon Wilkin, Joe westerman and the head hunter at Wigan are the last of that kind.

I think Brown has compensated for Turner at 13 with Laffranchi in the second row - even with Turner that is still a very big pack (especially considering Wakefield have lost arguably their best 2 props in Scruton and Moore.)

The biggest complaint I have with Turner is his positional sense, which should be masked very well in the middle, so long as he matches the physicality required (which he is [icapable[/i of doing) - and if he can get some flicks away to Roby (for example) in a similar manner as to Makinson, he could become a great running threat for us (something were lacking) - of course all hypotheticals at this point.

But, I've got my wish, lets see how it goes...

Turner at 13 could work well against less mobile packs , where he can exploit gaps, but he also might get smashed to bits! A big game for him to see if he can really handle the tough stuff in the middle

Or......

Turner will actually just play centre and Jones will play 13.

Wheeler limped off at half time, it wasn't looking good for Roby at one point, but he returned (to replace wheeler) and McDonnell scores 2 on debut

Finished 40-16. Would of taken that at the start!