St Helens v St George Illawarra: Squad news, TV coverage & predictions

Here is everything you need to know about St Helens’ friendly against St George Illawarra Dragons, including squad news, TV coverage and our predictions.

The pre-season match acts as a warm-up for Saints’ World Club Challenge clash Penrith Panthers. The friendly takes place on Saturday at WIN Stadium, live on Sky Sports Mix and Watch NRL from 9am.

Saints coach Paul Wellens has named a full strength side to take on their NRL namesakes.

England internationals Jack Welsby, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Matty Lees, Joe Batchelor and Morgan Knowles have all been named to start.

There are a couple of familiar names that NRL fans will recognise, too. Will Hopoate, Sione Mata’utia, Joey Lussick, Curtis Sironen and Agnatius Paasi are set to feature. Tonga powerhouse Konrad Hurrell is named in the reserves.

The Saints squad includes all 17 players who played in last season’s 24-12 win over Leeds in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

All 26 players who have travelled with the Saints are expected to play this weekend.

WCC: We are confident in our ability: St Helens up for Penrith challenge

Dragons missing key players for St Helens friendly

Anthony Griffin has named a youthful side, with several first team members on the sidelines.

Jack Bird, Aaron Woods, Jack de Belin, Jayden Sullivan, Jaydn Su’A, Cody Ramsey and Talatau Amone will not play a part in the game.

However, NRL regulars Blake Lawrie, Moses Suli, Zac Lomax, Mikaele Ravalawa, Moses Mbye, Jacob Liddle, Mat Feagai, Francis Molo and Tautau Moga will feature.

Former Salford and Warrington forward Ben Murdoch-Masila has been named in Griffin’s side after linking up with the club in the off-season.

Every player the Dragons have named is expected to be given a run out on Saturday.

Dragons: Stewart; Mat Feagai, Suli, Lomax, Ravalawa; Muhleisen, Mbye; F Molo, Liddle, Lawrie, Murdoch-Masila, Burns, J Hunt. Subs: Moga, Max Feagai, M Molo, Coric. Reserves: Lui-Toso, Russell, H Finau, S Finau, Lobb, Tamale, Shereb, Cook, Couchman, Herring, Egan.

Saints: Welsby; Makinson, Hopoate, Percival, Bennison; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Mata’utia, Batchelor, Knowles. Subs: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sironen, Paasi. Reserves: Wingfield, Bell, Norman, Davies, Royle, Hurrell, Baxter, Ritson, Hill.

Prediction: The Dragons are missing a couple of key players. St Helens will want to put on a good show prior to the World Club Challenge, so I’ll tip the Super League champs by 12.

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