Super League preview: St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Saints coach Nathan Brown has made just two changes to the squad which triumphed 40-24 at Castleford last time out.

Brown welcomes front rower Anthony Laffranchi back into the match-day squad following his compassionate leave.

Hooker James Roby sustained an injury during the win over the Tigers and is replaced by 23-year-old Stuart Howarth in the 19-man group.

Saints enter the clash having won just one of their previous five meetings with the Warriors, who sit 12 points above them in the Super League standings.

However, Brown insists his side are not focusing no their opposition but aiming to perfect their own performance.

"Wigan are a good team, but we need to worry more about ourselves," he said.

Injuries

"We've had a good month and produced three reasonable performances too. The game isn't about a marker; it is about us playing consistently well."

Meanwhile, league leaders Wigan enter the derby clash with forced changes after injuries picked up during their 48-4 Challenge Cup win against Widnes last weekend.

Warriors coach Shaun Wane is without key men Sam Tomkins and Sean O'Loughlin who all took blows during the previous outing.

"Those three have got knocks on their knees," he said. "I'm expecting them to be pushing to play.

"I desperately want to win both games but I won't be risking people this Monday."

The absence of the pivotal duo paves the way for Scott Taylor and Sam Powell to join the travelling party.

Hooker Michael McIlorum was also a doubt for the eagerly anticipated fixture but makes the journey having sufficiently recovered from a knee injury.

Saints: Wellens, Turner, Meli, Hohaia, Lomax, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Wilkin, Manu, Laffranchi, Clough, Jones, Makinson, Greenwood, Walmsley, Thompson, Howarth, O'Brien, Richards.

Warriors: Charnley, Crosby, Dudson, Farrell, Flower, Gelling, Goulding, Green, Hampshire, Burke, Hughes, Mossop, McIlorum, Taylor, S. Powell, Richards, Smith, L. Tomkins, Tuson.