Broncos v Saints: Teams
London Broncos could hand debuts to eight new signings when they face St Helens in their Stobart Super League opener at The Stoop.
Last Updated: 03/02/12 1:33pm
London Broncos could hand debuts to eight new signings when they face St Helens in their Stobart Super League opener at The Stoop.
Of the nine new faces brought in to overhaul the Broncos' squad during the off-season, only former Hull KR forward Matt Cook has not been named in Rob Powell's 19-man squad.
Cook, along with prop Karl Temata and half-back Dan Sarginson, will miss the newly-rebranded club's first game of the season through injury.
Centre David Howell is also absent as he is still sidelined by a six-game ban for biting picked up towards the end of the 2011 campaign.
Former Italy rugby union international Craig Gower is set to lead the side for the first time after switching back to the 13-man code during the off-season.
"We're fielding a tough 19-man squad who have been working together in training this week. We'll be looking for a strong start and we have the right people in order to achieve this," head coach Powell told his side's official website.
Last year's beaten Grand Finalists St Helens are without injured trio Paul Wellens, Tony Puletua and Michael Shenton for the trip to the capital.
Wellens and Puletua are recovering from Achilles and elbow surgery respectively, while it is unclear when Shenton will be able to return from nerve damage in his shoulder.
However, new boys Anthony Laffranchi, Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan are set to make their debuts after being named in Royce Simmons 19-man squad.
Wellens' absence means New Zealand international and utility player Hohaia could make his debut at full-back, with youngster Thomas Makinson being another contender to fill the void.
London squad: Bailey, B. Bolger, Bryant, Caro, Clubb, Colbon, Dixon, Dorn, Golden, Gower, Kaufusi, Krasniqi, Melling, O'Callaghan, Randall, Rinaldi, Robertson, Rodney, Witt.
St Helens squad: Gardner, Soliola, Meli, Hohaia, Lomax, Perry, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Wilkin, Flannery, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Clough, Wheeler, Dixon, Gaskell, Makinson, Foster, Ashe.
