Justin Holbrook delighted by impact of Saints youngsters

Justin Holbrook admits that St Helens’ strength-in-depth has been one of the most pleasing aspects of the campaign so far.

Saints currently lead the way in the Betfred Super League, their only loss coming away at Catalans’ Stade Gilbert Brutus last month.

They have averaged over six tries per game so far in 2019, all while giving a number of youngsters first-team minutes.

The likes of Joe Batchelor, Jack Ashworth. Aaron Smith and Jack Welsby have all featured for Holbrook’s side this campaign, with fellow youngster and outside back Matty Costello picking up a hat-trick in last week’s nine-try rout of the Dragons.

Lachlan Coote, Luke Thompson, Jonny Lomax, Morgan Knowles, James Roby and Tommy Makinson were among the names missing against Steve McNamara’s side, but in their absence Holbrook says he has been extremely pleased with his academy-grown talent.

Ahead of this week’s game against Hull Kingston Rovers, the Australian also acknowledged that he is in the luxurious position of resting players, should they need extra time to recover.

He said: “It is definitely great, and as I said after the game [against Catalans], we’ve got a squad here.

“We haven’t just got 17 players and they all want to play, which is great for competition for spots. The fact they want to be part of it is great as a coach.

“All those boys [that were rested last week] will come back in. Roby, Lomax, Coote and Tommy will all come back  and everyone else is ok.”