Simmons unconcerned about Saints’ Hull city form

St Helens coach Royce Simmons is not concerned about St Helens’ recent form in Hull.

Saints haven’t won at either the KC Stadium or Craven Park since 2009, taking only one point in their last five visits to the city after a 24-all draw with Hull FC last season. They travel to the most easterly Super League club on Sunday to face Hull KR.

However Simmons believes the travel is simply an excuse, and Saints have to go to Craven Park on with the right attitude.

He said: “Hull is a very tough place to go, whether it’s Hull KR or Hull FC. 

“The crowd is always pretty hostile and vocal, and it’s a long trip. But at the end of the day they are all excuses. We just have to go with the right frame of mind and give ourselves every opportunity to play as well as you can.”

On paper it may appear Saints will have an easier time at Craven Park after Rovers’ half back Michael Dobson was ruled out for a month earlier this week. However Simmons believes the Robins can be just as dangerous.

He said: “They played half a game without both of their halfbacks and still got a pretty convincing win last weekend.

“Lincoln Withers has played well over 100 NRL games and a lot of those were played a halfback. It’s only later in his career he has become a hooker so he’ll fit into half back without too much problem.

“They have a big pack of forwards who will carry the ball. Joel Clinton is a big man and Mickey Paea is a good player, and so is Constantine Mika. All three are big carriers of the ball so we really have to be up for the challenge.”