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Rugby League

Long, Fa'asavalu fit for Saints

12/10/2007

St Helens have included injury doubts Sean Long and Maurie Fa'asavalu in their 18-man squad for the Super League grand final against Leeds Rhinos.

The consensus top-two teams in this year's competition face-off at Manchester's Old Trafford stadium for the Super League trophy, with defending champions St Helens very slight favourites, although many pundits are finding it tough to separate the two.

Scrum-half Long missed the last game between the teams – Saints' 12-10 victory in the first round of the play-offs, which secured their place in the showpiece event and forced the Rhinos to navigate the knockout rounds.

He was joined by prop Fa'asavalu on the treatment table, both with hamstring injuries, but they have been passed fit to take part in the season finale.

And Saints coach Daniel Anderson said his squad was well-rested and well-prepared.

"We have been relaxed this week after several hard sessions towards the end of last week, but the fun is over and we are fully focused for the task ahead," he said.

Leeds have a fully-fit squad to choose from and Anderson said he was expecting a hard-fought encounter on Saturday.

"Leeds are a very good team. Both teams are evenly matched," he continued.

"It is a case of who handles it on the day. It is probably the most prestigious fixture in the calendar.

"We started our season on February 4th and it has been a long year, so to get here is a wonderful achievement and nothing short of sensational."

Full 18-man St Helens squad for grand final:

1 Paul Wellens
2 Ade Gardner
3 Matt Gidley
4 Willie Talau
5 Francis Meli
6 Leon Pryce
7 Sean Long
8 Nick Fozzard
9 Keiron Cunningham (captain)
10 Jason Cayless
11 Lee Gilmour
12 Jon Wilkin
14 James Roby
15 Mike Bennett
17 James Graham
21 Matty Smith
23 Maurie Fa'asavalu
30 Chris Flannery