St Helens v Wigan preview
St Helens coach Keiron Cunningham is hoping a couple of fierce derby clashes will fine-tune the reigning champions' preparations for the Super League semi-finals.
Cunningham's men clinched their top-four spot with a crucial win at Castleford last Thursday and now take on arch rivals Wigan and Warrington in their last two matches of the Super 8s, which will determine the make-up of the semi-finals.
Wigan, three points in front of Saints with two rounds to go, are first up in a 2014 Grand Final rematch at Langtree Park on Friday night and Cunningham cannot wait.
"We've not had the easiest of draws in the Super 8s and, if anything, we have the toughest finish too with Wigan and Warrington," he said.
"No matter how Warrington are going it is a local derby and always a tough game.
"And when we face Wigan there's always fireworks. There's no better games for us as we head into the semi-finals.
"We always work hard but in terms of motivation it doesn't take a lot to get the players up this week."
Wigan coach Shaun Wane also says his job is made easier this week, especially after his side struggled to overcome an injury-hit Hull at the DW Stadium last Friday.
"It's been a tough week for the players because it wasn't our best performance against Hull," said Wane. "It was a mental challenge last week and we dipped below our standards.
"There is a different feel to it this week. It is easy getting them up for this game. The respect between the clubs when it kicks off is full on with both sides standing toe to toe and wanting to go at it and the toughest team will win."
Wane expects to have skipper Sean O'Loughlin and full-back Matty Bowen back in the side while Saints have second rower Atelea Vea back from a six-week injury absence to help offset the loss of prop Alex Walmsley with an ankle problem.
Fellow front rower Mose Masoe is expected back after sitting out Saints' last two games.
St Helens: Kyle Amor, Travis Burns, Mark Flanagan, Joe Greenwood, Josh Jones, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Tommy Makinson, Mose Masoe, Mark Percival, Adam Quinlan, Greg Richards, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Adam Swift, Luke Thompson, Jordan Turner, Atelea Vea, Luke Walsh, Jon Wilkin.
Wigan: John Bateman, Matty Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Tony Clubb, Dominic Crosby, Connor Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Hampshire, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Larne Patrick, Sam Powell, Matty Smith, Joel Tomkins, George Williams.
