Rhinos v Saints: Teams
St Helens coach Royce Simmons will field his fourth different half-back pairing in six games on Saturday when his side face Leeds.
Last Updated: 19/03/11 8:24pm
St Helens coach Royce Simmons will field his fourth different half-back pairing in six games on Saturday night when he takes his side to face Leeds.
Bath-bound Kyle Eastmond has been suspended pending an internal investigation into alleged misconduct, with his young half-back partner Lee Gaskell therefore being thrown in at the deep end against the Rhinos.
Ahead of the match between Super League's sixth and seventh-placed clubs, Simmons gave the 20-year-old a vote of confidence.
"He's trying hard every time and we'll be sticking with him," said Simmons.
"He's learning still, he's doing things at pace and he's mis-timed a couple of things.
"Before this season, he had only played off the bench one or two games and, all of a sudden, he's in there. When you're trying hard, you stick."
Saints have utility back Gary Wheeler back from injury to help offset the loss of Eastmond but they have doubts over forwards Tony Puletua and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook.
Meanwhile, Leeds are set to give a debut to teenage outside back Zak Hardaker after recalling him from Featherstone to replace the injured Ben Jones-Bishop.
Prop forwards Luke Burgess and Ben Cross return from injury and suspension respectively for a match that marks the 300th appearance of scrum half Rob Burrow.
Leeds 19-man squad: Webb, Smith, Senior, Hall, Burrow, Buderus, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Sinfield, Lauitiiti, Cross, Kirke, Burgess, Watkins, Hauraki, Clarkson, Pitts, McShane, Hardaker.
St Helens 19-man squad: Wellens, Gardner, Shenton, Meli, Perry, Roby, Graham, Puletua, Flannery, Moore, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Clough, Wheeler, Ashurst, Dixon, Lomax, Magennis, Foster, Gaskell.