Casualty Ward: St Helens, Hull KR suffer blows following Challenge Cup semi-finals

Keep up to date with the latest injury news in Casualty Ward, this week including St Helens and Hull KR following the Challenge Cup semi-finals.

St Helens suffer semi-final blows

St Helens suffered a couple of injury blows to props Agnatius Paasi and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook in their 12-10 defeat to Leigh Leopards on Saturday.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Saints coach Paul Wellens said he expects to be without Tongan powerhouse Paasi for a ‘significant period’.

Veteran forward McCarthy-Scarsbrook came off the field with a quad injury, whilst Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley needed strapping up during the game.

Wellens told the St Helens Star: “I have to be careful what I say because I think he’s had his knee blown to smithereens and it’s an unfortunate one.

“But as it stands now, it looks like we could lose Agnatius Paasi for a significant period. So it’s a tough one.

“Louie came off and he has got a bit of a quad issue, which again we’ll get investigate.

“As you can imagine in a game like that when it’s really attritional players always come out with bumps, bruises and scrapes and things like that.

“Other than Agnatius and Louie, I don’t think there’s anything really significant there although Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley both had the knee strapped up in the game as well, so who knows what the next 24-48 hours might throw up.”

Veteran winger a late withdrawal for Hull KR

England international winger Ryan Hall was forced to miss Hull KR’s 11-10 win ove Wigan Warriors on Sunday due a calf injury.

BBC sideline reporter Damian Johnson confirmed the injury moments into the clash at Headingley Stadium, with the veteran winger initially named in the starting line-up by head coach Wille Peters.

Having been named on the bench, half-back Mikey Lewis was promoted to full-back, with Ethan Ryan shifted to the wing.

Forward Yusuf Aydin moved to the bench, despite Jimmy Keinhorst being named as 18th man ahead of the game.

Johnson reported that Hall suffered the calf injury during last week’s 19-18 drop-goal victory over Leeds Rhinos, and was given up until kick-off to make the game.

However, the 35-year-old England international pulled out of the clash during the warm-up.

Leigh’s absentee

Leigh Leopards reached their first Challenge Cup final since 1971 with a thrilling win over St Helens, but there was a notable absentee in star centre Ricky Leutele.

The former Samoa international didn’t feature in the game due to injury, with the timeframe of the injury yet to be revealed.

Leutele suffered a knock to the shoulder in their win at Salford the week previous and didn’t play at the weekend against Saints.

Keep up to date with all the latest injury news in Super League with our Casualty Ward feature, out every Monday.

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