St.Helens Head Coach Paul Rowley spoke to the press to look ahead to Friday night’s Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Final against Catalans Dragons.
The Saints head into the last eight of the competition with mixed injury news, as Agnatius Paasi now looks to be ruled out for an extended period due to a hamstring issue, and Shane Wright is set to miss this week through return to play protocols following his failed HIA last Friday afternoon. However, there is a boost, with Kyle Feldt back after his three-match penalty notice, and Alex Walmsley could be in contention too.
Catalans have significant threats across the pitch, with Rowley highlighting the quality in their spine and the strength of their outside backs. He also pointed to their physical presence and structure, noting that controlling the tempo and limiting unstructured play will be crucial if the Red V are to come out on top.
Despite coming off the emotional high of last week’s derby win, Rowley insists this fixture carries its own importance. While the atmosphere may differ without a large travelling support, he stressed that it is up to our team to create that fan energy through their performances, by giving our home supporters something to cheer for from the very start.
The St.Helens boss also reaffirmed his adoration for the Challenge Cup, as it presents an opportunity to compete for silverware and has such a rich history associated with it.
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