The game everyone has been talking about. The Steve Prescott Cup. This match will be the first clash between the two since the sad passing away of Steve Prescott. He played for both Hull FC and St Helens and this fixture has been dedicated to The Steve Prescott Cup, which will be given to the team with the highest aggregate score from the two regular-season games between the teams. On the game, St Helens Coach Brown said: "You can't hide from what Steve Prescott's done."
"You don't worry about the rugby league part of it - you worry about the inspiration and the hope that he created throughout the town and throughout England."
"He was a remarkable person to achieve what he did under the circumstances, and the way he held himself was quite remarkable."
"You hope Friday's a great night in memory of him. I think his heart would have been with St Helens."
Rest In Peace, Steve Prescott, a great, great man. Lets get #1Precky trending Worldwide before kick off!
The game
It's going to be a tough game. Hull FC need to sharpen their defence up, after conceding 34-points against the Catalan Dragons in their first 2014 Super League Fixture. However, last week Hull FC looked good in attack, with tries coming from Yeamen, Horne, Whiting, Lineham, Crooks and a 90m dash from Rankin to score on his debut. In contrast, St Helens looked immaculate in attack last week in their opening fixture vs Warrington. Luke Walsh looked right at home, his kicking game was superb and he knew how and when to make the right pass. He topped off his St Helens debut with a intercepted try too. It's going to be a tough one to call this.
Battle of the Fullbacks: Jonny Lomax vs Jamie Shaul. Although McDonnell was handed the number 1 jersey for Hull FC, Shaul looks like he will be playing Fullback most weeks this year. Lomax is fairly new to his role at Fullback, only playing a dozen games last year in the position (filling in for injured Wellens) but he already looks comfortable in his new role. Jamie Shaul has already shown that he is not afraid to do the hard work and take in a run for his team, making a total of 110 metres against the Dragons. In comparison, Lomax made a total of 139 metres against Warrington, also showing he's prepared to do the hard work for his team. This will be one of the battles of the game.
Battle of the 9s: James Roby vs Danny Houghton. Arguably the best Hookers in Super League. James Roby, who's been a great player for St Helens, is a hard working Hooker who does all he can for his team and this is what gets his name into the the England squad. Houghton is also a very-hard working Hooker who, some would argue, should be making his way into the England squad any time soon. He was Super League's top tackler last year with 1179 tackles and arguable was also Hull FC's hardest working player last year. This could be a battle to see who plays for England in their next international, so they will both put everything they can into this game, (like always).
It's going to be a tough game to call. But due to St Helen's attacking ability shown in last week's fixture, along with Hull FC's week defence last week, I'm going to go with a 32-10 win to St Helens tonight.
Tweet me with your predictions to @RLLatest or post on my facebook www.facebook.com/RLLatest and let's get #1Precky trending!
"You don't worry about the rugby league part of it - you worry about the inspiration and the hope that he created throughout the town and throughout England."
"He was a remarkable person to achieve what he did under the circumstances, and the way he held himself was quite remarkable."
"You hope Friday's a great night in memory of him. I think his heart would have been with St Helens."
Rest In Peace, Steve Prescott, a great, great man. Lets get #1Precky trending Worldwide before kick off!
The game
It's going to be a tough game. Hull FC need to sharpen their defence up, after conceding 34-points against the Catalan Dragons in their first 2014 Super League Fixture. However, last week Hull FC looked good in attack, with tries coming from Yeamen, Horne, Whiting, Lineham, Crooks and a 90m dash from Rankin to score on his debut. In contrast, St Helens looked immaculate in attack last week in their opening fixture vs Warrington. Luke Walsh looked right at home, his kicking game was superb and he knew how and when to make the right pass. He topped off his St Helens debut with a intercepted try too. It's going to be a tough one to call this.
Battle of the Fullbacks: Jonny Lomax vs Jamie Shaul. Although McDonnell was handed the number 1 jersey for Hull FC, Shaul looks like he will be playing Fullback most weeks this year. Lomax is fairly new to his role at Fullback, only playing a dozen games last year in the position (filling in for injured Wellens) but he already looks comfortable in his new role. Jamie Shaul has already shown that he is not afraid to do the hard work and take in a run for his team, making a total of 110 metres against the Dragons. In comparison, Lomax made a total of 139 metres against Warrington, also showing he's prepared to do the hard work for his team. This will be one of the battles of the game.
Battle of the 9s: James Roby vs Danny Houghton. Arguably the best Hookers in Super League. James Roby, who's been a great player for St Helens, is a hard working Hooker who does all he can for his team and this is what gets his name into the the England squad. Houghton is also a very-hard working Hooker who, some would argue, should be making his way into the England squad any time soon. He was Super League's top tackler last year with 1179 tackles and arguable was also Hull FC's hardest working player last year. This could be a battle to see who plays for England in their next international, so they will both put everything they can into this game, (like always).
It's going to be a tough game to call. But due to St Helen's attacking ability shown in last week's fixture, along with Hull FC's week defence last week, I'm going to go with a 32-10 win to St Helens tonight.
Tweet me with your predictions to @RLLatest or post on my facebook www.facebook.com/RLLatest and let's get #1Precky trending!
Below is what the teams will be playing for in tonight's and Round 23's game.