SL preview: St Helens v London B (Fri)

St Helens have found some consistency in recent weeks, and they have only made one change to the squad that successfully travelled to Catalan.

On-loan Gareth O’Brien has been stepped down by head coach Nathan Brown after two high shots in recent weeks, with Joe Greenwood, the winning try-scorer against Wigan recently, being recalled.

London are without key playes Luke Dorn and Michael Robertson after it was confirmed that the pair will miss the remainder of the 2013 season after undergoing surgery.

Soon to be out of contract Dorn, suffered a hip injury in last week’s clash with Leeds and may now have played his final game for the club, while winger Robertson has been suffering with an elbow injury.

Forward Scott Wheeldon is also unavailable through injury, as a torn calf has sidelined the former Hull FC and Hull KR man.

St Helens 19-man squad: Clough, Greenwood, Hohaia, Howarth, Jones, Laffranchi, Lomax, Makinson, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Manu, Meli, Puletua, Richards, Swift, Turner, Walker, Walmsley, Wellens, Wilkin.

London 19-man squad: Bishay, Bryant, Colbon, Cook, Dollapi, Fisher, Howell, Hurst, Kaufusi, Krasniqi, Lee, Macani, McMeeken, Melling, Rodney, Sarginson, Soward, Wicks, Woodburn-Hall.

Prediction: Saints have finally found some form in 2013 and they will ease to victory over London.

Stats:

Paul Wellens needs one point to reach 1,000 for his career.

Wellens has scored 953 points (218 tries, 40 goals, 1 field goal) for St Helens since 1998.

He has also scored points for Great Britain (18 – 4 tries, 1 goal), England (16 – 4 tries) and Lancashire (12 – 3 tries).

2013 meeting – London 21-14 St Helens (SLR13, 27/4/13)

Super League summary:

(including Harlequins, 2006-2011)

St Helens won 35 (includes win in 2003 play-offs)

London won 6

2 draws

St Helens highest score: 62-16 (H, 2003) (Widest margin: 54-0, A, 2008)

London highest score: 40-6 (H, 2002) (also widest margin)