JACOB HOST and Nene Macdonald could make welcome returns for St Helens when they host Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.
Australian back-rower Host has been sidelined by a broken leg since March, having made just four appearances for the club so far.
Outside back Macdonald, meanwhile, hasn’t featured since the beginning of May due to a knee problem that has been hampering him since early in the campaign.
Paul Rowley also welcomes back Harry Robertson (quad) and Jackson Hastings (suspension) as he makes a total of four changes to his 21-man squad.
Jonny Lomax (jaw) and Deon Cross (bicep) drop out with injuries which will keep them sidelined for a significant period of time, along with Kyle Feldt, who has been released by the club, and Alfie Sinclair.
Huddersfield coach Jim Lenihan is without Harry Rushton and Connor Wrench, with the latter currently on leave for personal reasons.
Back-rower Zane Dunford could make his debut after joining the Giants from Brisbane Tigers, while Lewis Jagger also comes into their squad.
Despite losing their last three games, Saints will be favourites to defeat bottom-placed Huddersfield, against whom they have won the previous 14 meetings.
SQUADS
Saints: 1 Jack Welsby, 3 Harry Robertson, 4 Mark Percival, 6 Tristan Sailor, 8 Alex Walmsley, 9 Daryl Clark, 11 Curtis Sironen, 12 Shane Wright, 13 David Klemmer, 14 Jacob Host, 15 George Delaney, 16 Matt Whitley, 17 George Whitby, 22 Joe Shorrocks, 24 Owen Dagnall, 25 Nene Macdonald, 28 Jake Davies, 30 Tom Humphreys, 31 Jackson Hastings, 33 Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Deacon Swarbrick
Giants: 1 Niall Evalds, 3 Jacob Gagai, 4 Taane Milne, 6 Tui Lolohea, 8 Tristan Powell, 9 Zac Woolford, 10 Tom Burgess, 11 Asher O’Donnell, 14 Fenton Rogers, 15 Matty English, 16 George King, 17 Joe Greenwood, 18 Kieran Rush, 20 Mathieu Cozza, 21 George Flanagan, 23 Chris Patolo, 32 Oliver Russell, 40 Cole Geyer, 41 Lee Kershaw, 42 Lewis Jagger, 43 Zane Dunford
Referee: James Vella
STATS
St Helens have won their last 14 meetings with Huddersfield.
The Giants’ last victory against the Saints was a 12-10 away win on 6 March, 2020.
St Helens have also won their last five home meetings with Huddersfield (including 2021’s Challenge Cup Quarter Final at Headingley).
The Giants’ last away victory against the Saints was in that same March 2020 fixture.
Last ten meetings:
Huddersfield 18, St Helens 26 (SLR11, 14/5/26)
St Helens 52, Huddersfield 4 (SLR22, 17/8/25)
Huddersfield 4, St Helens 46 (SLR12, 23/5/25)
Huddersfield 10, St Helens 18 (SLR24, 1/9/24)
St Helens 13, Huddersfield 12 (SLR9, 25/4/24)
Huddersfield 0, St Helens 28 (SLR2, 24/2/24)
St Helens 32, Huddersfield 18 (SLR1, 13/8/23)
Huddersfield 6, St Helens 48 (SLR14, 4/6/23)
(at St James’ Park, Newcastle)
Huddersfield 12, St Helens 14 (SLR6, 23/3/23)
St Helens 25, Huddersfield 0 (SLR19, 15/7/22)
Super League summary
St Helens won 52 (includes wins in 2009 and 2010 play-offs)
Huddersfield won 13
1 draw
St Helens highest score: 68-18 (H, 1998) (Widest margin: 66-4, H, 2018)
Huddersfield highest score: 48-20 (MW, 2016) (Widest margin: 40-4, A, 2013)