St Helens saw two senior players represent their reserves with one key man close to an injury return as Konrad Hurrell also featured.
Hurrell, who is out of contract at the end of the year, has played just once for St Helens all season and that came in the Challenge Cup clash against West Hull, meaning he hasn’t really played in any competitive fixture.
Instead, he’s been sent on numerous loans with Bradford Bulls, Swinton Lions and Halifax Panthers all benefiting from the overseas outside back, however, he’s still yet to play for St Helens.
He played in the club’s final reserve team game of the season last night against Bradford Bulls, a game that Saints lost 32-18 with two of St Helens’ tries coming from Hurrell.
The Tongan opened the scoring early on and scored his second minutes from full-time but also was sent to the sin bin late in the first-half. Whether that performance is enough of a message to Paul Wellens to earn a shot in this final push for the play-offs is unclear, especially when another outside back made his return last night.
St Helens centre set to bolster squad for play-off push
Deon Cross also played for the reserves with the former Salford man almost two weeks behind the initial reported return date.
Cross suffered a lisfranc injury that was confirmed in early July and speaking at the time, Paul Wellens explained that the August 1st game against Castleford Tigers was the targeted return date.
The Saints coach had said: “There’s a few things he’s got to do between now and then to make sure that’s the case, I think it’s the Castleford game is the game we’re earmarking for Deon’s return.”
A fortnight on from that and Cross is only featuring for the reserves but the club’s starting outside backs of Kyle Feldt, Harry Robertson, Mark Percival and Owen Dagnall have all been firing, so there hasn’t been a need to rush him back.
Paul Wellens will name his 21-man squad to take on Huddersfield Giants later today before then speaking to the media so more information could come to light on Cross.
As well as Cross, Jack Welsby is expected to return in the coming weeks with his return set to create a dilemma around where to play Tristan Sailor. The NRL signing had played on the wing previously but as referenced, those outside back spots are already teeming with talent and Cross is still to return.
It’s a good headache for Paul Wellens to have as the play-offs approach.
😇 Your final Saints Reserves side for 2025
This is how the Saints line-up, with an appearance for Deon Cross as he continues his recovery from Injury!#COYS pic.twitter.com/c2fit8e3Uk
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) August 14, 2025
