More selection headaches for Justin Holbrook

The choice of half-backs at St Helens has dominated the debate over recent weeks, but it’s in the outside backs where coach Justin Holbrook has a decision to make this weekend.

Saints return to action following a weekend off with a visit to Huddersfield Giants on Friday looking to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Centre Ryan Morgan is back available for selection after sitting out the win at Catalans, which saw winger Adam Swift come in and perform well having himself been left out of the opening round defeat of Castleford.

Holbrook said: “Ryan will be right to play, he’s been cleared to play this week which is great for him.

“I’m not sure what we’ll do yet. I was really happy with the way Swift played and he’s been our best trainer in pre-season, so it was hard to leave him out for round one.

“It will be a big decision that I’m going to make.

“It’s a great problem to have. The hardest thing as a coach is leaving quality players out, and that’s the worst part of the job telling players that have been playing great that they’ve missed the line-up.

“Ryan played one game then had to miss one with a head knock so we were lucky we had Swift there so we need to have a good squad, and that means someone is unfortunately going to miss out.”

Swift scored seven tries in 18 appearances last season, though didn’t play after the 24-22 defeat to Leeds in June.

Morgan was a virtual ever present in 2017, missing just three games, scoring 12 tries in 28 appearances.

Holbrook has also faced a selection dilemma over his half-backs, and left out multiple Grand Final winner and twice Super League Dream Team member Matty Smith in round one.

Theo Fages, Danny Richardson and Jonny Lomax are all fighting with the former Wigan scrum-half for a place in the side.

St Helens are tipped by many to go all the way this year, and Holbrook added: “I hope they’re right! We’re a long way off, but we couldn’t be happier with the start.”