Full-back Lachie Miller is in contention for his first appearance since last September, following hamstring and calf muscle injuries. Winger Ryan Hall didn't travel to France last week because of a sore rib, but is expected to return in this evening’s Betfred Challenge Cup fourth round tie.
Scrum-half Matt Frawley is unavailable after failing a head injury assessment during the defeat at Catalans Dragons six days ago, so outside-back Jack Smith – who is yet to make his first team debut – has been drafted into the initial squad. Prop Tom Nicholson-Watton and full-back/winger Alfie Edgell retain their place in the 21 after not being selected last week. Prop Matty Lees is expected to return for Saints after missing their home loss at Hull KR a week ago. James Bell, Moses Mbye and Jake Burns are the other players hoping to be called into the matchday side from an unchanged 21. Ex-Rhinos centre Konrad Hurrell, who has been playing for Halifax Panthers on dual-registration, has a hamstring injury and is the only casualty among Saints’ top-20 squad.
St Helens’ 21 is: Jack Welsby, Kyle Feldt, Mark Percival, Jon Bennison, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Curtis Sironen, Joe Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Moses Mbye, James Bell, Matt Whitley, Agnatius Paasi, Jake Wingfield, George Delaney, Noah Stephens, Jake Burns, Harry Robertson.
Rhinos’ 21 is: Lachie Miller, Harry Newman, Ash Handley, Ryan Hall, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, Andy Ackers, Keenan Palasia, James Bentley, James McDonnell, Jarrod O'Connor, Sam Lisone, Morgan Gannon, Cooper Jenkins, Jake Connor, Jack Sinfield, Alfie Edgell, Tom Nicholson-Watton, Riley Lumb, Ethan Clark-Wood, Jack Smith.
Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan). Kick-off: Friday, 8pm. Here’s who is definitely unavailable for Rhinos from their 30-man full-time squad.
7. Ned McCormack
The rookie centre hasn’t played since suffering hamstring damage in the act of scoring against Warrington last July. He has had an operation and could be sidelined for the entire season. Photo: Tony Johnson
8. Max Simpson
The centre had hoped to be back on the field this month, for the first time since an anterior cruciate ligament tear in January, 2023, but a separate hamstring injury in training has ruled him out until April. Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
9. Fergus McCormack
The teenage half-back has a hamstring injury and no return date has been given. Photo: Tony Johnson