St Helens head coach Kristian Woolf named an unchanged squad for their home clash this Friday night against a struggling Wakefield Trinity team.

His side sit top of the table after confident victories over Catalan Dragons in round one and Hull FC last weekend.

After the victory over Hull, Woolf said: “We played some good footy so I’m really happy overall.

“Our blokes approached the game really well from the start and we were very much on top.”

Speaking about their visitors, Woolf was sympathetic with Wakefield despite their poor run of form.

He said: “I think they’ve been a bit unlucky in two games now.

“They move the ball about well and try a few things so they’re going to be right up for it.”

Saints eased through the game to secure an away 38-6 victory over Hull in brutal wind, rain and snow conditions.

Mark Percival scored his 100th try for the club, with Josh Simm, Jack Welsby and Lewis Dodd adding to the scoreline.

Welsby and Dodd look important for success alongside Jonny Lomax, who starts despite being on the end of a dangerous charge down from Luke Gale. Gale has since been given a five-game ban.

 

Wakefield put up a good fight in their 24-22 defeat to Catalan last weekend, but coach Willie Poching said his side feel confident.

He said: “We know what we are capable of, and we were unlucky not to come out on top.

“We face St Helens next week and that’s (last season’s) two Grand Finalists, but we’ve shown that we fear no-one.”

St Helens were victorious in both league games against Wakefield last year and haven’t lost attacking threat after the departure of Lachlan Coote to Hull KR.

Saints’ winger Regan Grace remains out after an elbow knock in pre-season.

Woolf said his recovery should not be rushed: “He’s a little bit ahead of time with his recovery.

“We don’t want to take a risk with a player like Regan. He’ll come back into the side in due time.”

Toulouse Olympique v Warrington Wolves

Warrington travel to the Stade Ernest Wallon this Saturday, hoping to continue their unbeaten run against Toulouse.

Halfbacks George Williams and Gareth Widdop showed off their short kicking game and look difficult to stop.

Warrington coach Daryl Powell said: “We’ve won two from two and we can’t do any more than that, so we’ll just keep building.”

Toulouse are struggling after promotion and were beaten by Huddersfield Giants in round one and Salford Red Devils last Sunday.

The French team have since signed ex-Widnes Vikings fullback Olly Ashall-Bott from the Giants, who may start this weekend.

Starting fullback Tony Gigot however, is unlikely to be replaced.

Warrington’s side may re-structure as halfback Joseph Paulo is out for two games after a late hit last weekend.

(Feature image provided under creative commons license by Ben Sutherland @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/)

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