Thursday 1 May 2014 05:25, UK
London Broncos are hoping to catch St Helens at a low ebb as they seek their first win of 2014.
Saints enjoyed the only 100 per cent record in Super League up to the start of Easter but three defeats in nine days have turned their season on its head.
Their exit from the Challenge Cup leaves Nathan Brown's men with no option but to concentrate on the league and they can return to the top of the table, at least for 24 hours, if they return to winning ways on Thursday night.
The Broncos have lost all 11 matches so far this year but captain Matt Cook is hoping a week off, forced on them by their first-round Cup defeat, can help them pull off a shock at Langtree Park.
"We'll be able to go into this game much fresher and hopefully catch St Helens off guard, with them having played three games in quick succession," Cook said.
London are set to give James Cunningham his first start at hooker in the absence of Scott Moore, who misses out on a reunion with his old St Helens team-mates because of suspension, while Denny Solomona is set to switch from centre to full-back following the loss of Nesi Mataitonga with a hamstring strain.
Brown looks set to recall stand-off Lance Hohaia, with Jon Wilkin reverting to the pack and Josh Jones switching to centre in place of the injured Jordan Turner.
The Saints boss has defended his selection policy after coming under fire from a section of fans for ignoring Hohaia for the Cup-tie at Leeds and playing Wilkin out of position.
"Lance has been playing good footy and it's good to see the fans giving him some credit because he's had some hard times," Brown said. "That is a positive to me that they're talking about him and asking why he hasn't been playing.
"The role Jon Wilkin plays at left back row is similar to what he does at six and we thought to go with some bigger people would have been a better option against a bigger team."
With Kyle Amor joining forwards Willie Manu and Anthony Laffranchi on the injury list, Brown has called up Mark Flanagan, Anthony Walker, Andre Savelio and Carl Forster, who spent a month on loan to London earlier this year.
