Casualty Ward: Tuimavave setback, Wire blow & Saints missing key duo

Our weekly Casualty Ward feature is back following the opening round of the 2023 Super League season, including Saints, Warrington and Hull.

Saints missing key duo

St Helens will be without two England internationals for their trip to Castleford on Sunday. It was confirmed earlier last week that Joe Batchelor will require surgery upon their return to the UK.

The back-rower suffered an ankle injury in their 30-18 win over St George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL pre-season challenge 10 days ago.

Saints coach Paul Wellens said: “It’s a huge blow for Joe personally. I think people have seen the influence he has had on the team and the performances that he’s produced over the last 12 to 18 months. The progress he’s made as a player has been quite significant.

“It is really disappointing for Joe and really disappointing for us as a team to lose a player of the calibre of Joe for this game and the next few weeks after when we get an indication of how series the injury is.”

St Helens will be also without Tommy Makinson this week. The winger failed a head injury assessment in their 13-12 win over Penrith in the World Club Challenge. Protocol means he will miss the game at Castleford.

Hull KR double injury blow

Willie Peters has revealed that winger Ryan Hall and forward Rhys Kennedy will miss Hull KR’s trip to Salford on Thursday. (Hull Live)

Hall left the field early in their 27-18 win over Wigan with a rib injury. Kennedy, meanwhile, failed a HIA and will miss the Salford match.

Wire blow

Warrington were dealt a blow in their Super League season opener against Leeds as forward Matty Nicholson left the action early in their 42-10 win over the Rhinos.

The 19-year-old left the action clutching his arm in the first half. Wolves coach Daryl Powell confirmed after the game that the young forward had dislocated his shoulder.

Powell said: “He’ll get a scan. He has dislocated his shoulder, it has gone back in pretty quickly so that can be good or bad news. We haven’t got a great depth of back-rowers. There are players who can fill in there but it’s not great news.”

Tuimavave setback

Hull coach Tony Smith has revealed that captain Carlos Tuimavave has suffered a minor injury setback. (Hull Live)

The former Samoa international was pushing to play in Hull’s opening 32-30 win over Castleford on Sunday. He is likely to miss Friday’s game at Leeds.

Hull coach Tony Smith told Hull Live: “He’s gone from probably not doing a whole lot to doing a whole lot pretty quickly. He’s aggravated not the injury itself, but another part of his foot. He’s been advised to give it a break for a week or two and then we’ll resume and reintroduce him.”

Meanwhile, Hull could welcome back forwards Ligi Sao and Andre Savelio for their trip to Headingley.

Catalans update

The Dragons were missing half-back Mitchell Pearce (calf) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (knee) for their 38-24 win at Wakefield on Friday night.

Wakefield, meanwhile, were without key forward Kelepi Tanginoa due to a hamstring injury.

Our Casualty Ward feature is out every week with the latest injury news.

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