St Helens v Hull FC: Super 8s preview
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 02/09/16 8:32pm
Leon Pryce will be given a chance to leave a lasting legacy with Hull FC by helping keep them on track for the treble.
The veteran stand-off was left out of the Black and Whites' Challenge Cup-winning team last weekend and on Wednesday confirmed his return to his home-town club Bradford at the end of the season.
However, Hull coach Lee Radford says Pryce has some unfinished business with his side after recalling him for Friday night's Super League top-four clash at St Helens, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm.
"He will be keen to finish the season on a high with us with the Grand Final still firmly in our sights," said Radford.
"It's a great chance for him to put in a big performance and an opportunity for both sets of fans to thank him for his efforts at both clubs."
Pryce is back for what could be his farewell appearance after Radford opted to rest five members of his victorious cup final line-up and the coach admits it may be difficult for his team to quickly get their focus back on the league after the euphoria of finally ending their Wembley hoodoo.
"We've had little preparation having had the game on the Saturday and then celebrating with the fans and families over the last few days," he said.
"Saturday was a really physical, tough game, so it will be difficult to get up again on Friday.
"But we're focused on kicking on after Saturday and finishing the season as strong as we can."
Hull are aiming for a fifth successive win at Langtree Park but St Helens will be looking to bounce back from their 25-0 derby defeat by Wigan in their last match.
"People talk about a cup hangover but we will be facing a tough side," warned Keiron Cunningham.
"They are the best side in the comp, have just won the cup and have ambitions of winning all three.
"We have played them three times this season and on two of those occasions, we had a real chance of winning. We will be a different animal to the one they faced last time we played.
"We have had a break, freshened the boys up, got plenty of training in and we know what we are facing."
St Helens are still without suspended duo Luke Walsh and Luke Thompson and Cunningham has called up young forwards Oliver Davies and Jack Ashworth in place of Lama Tasi, the only player left out of the side that lost 25-0 to Wigan in their last match.
Hull rest hooker Danny Houghton, Gareth Ellis, Marc Sneyd, Carlos Tuimavave and Mark Minichiello from their Challenge Cup-winning team.
Dean Hadley and Jordan Thompson come in as well as former St Helens stand-off Pryce, Jordan Abdull, Feka Paleaaesina, Curtis Naughton and Jansin Turgut as they seek a fifth successive win at Langtree Park.
St Helens: Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth, Oliver Davies, Theo Fages, Matty Fleming, Joe Greenwood, Morgan Knowles, Jonny Lomax, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Shannon McDonnell, Jack Owens, Dominique Peyroux, Greg Richards, James Roby, Adam Swift, Jordan Turner, Atelea Vea, Alex Walmsley, Jon Wilkin.
Hull FC: Jordan Abdull, Josh Bowden, Mahe Fonua, Chris Green, Dean Hadley, Sika Manu, Steve Michaels, Curtis Naughton, Feka Paleaaesina, Frank Pritchard, Leon Pryce, Jamie Shaul, Fetuli Talanoa, Scott Taylor, Jordan Thompson, Jansin Turgut, Danny Washbrook, Liam Watts, Kirk Yeaman.
Watch St Helens v Hull FC live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Friday from 7.30pm. Catch the match for £6.99 on NOW TV. No contract.
