Raper rings Wigan changes

Ricky Bibey and Danny Tickle will be the players forced to carry the can for Wigan's failings against Leeds last week when they take on St Helens tonight.

The disgruntled Wigan coach, Stuart Raper, threatened changes after the 30-20 defeat last Friday and the young forwards - along with the injured Brett Dallas - are the men to make way for the return of the New Zealand Test prop, Craig Smith, and two teenagers, Gareth Hock and Kevin Brown.

Luke Robinson has recovered from his broken hand and could make his first appearance for almost two months at Knowsley Road, while Danny Sculthorpe is defying a shoulder injury to face his elder brother, Paul.

He will get no favours from Saints' guiding light. "It's great to see him doing so well, but I'll hit him as hard as I hit anybody else, if not harder," Paul said.

The match will be Paul Newlove's first since being told that he is not to be offered a new contract by St Helens next season. "I just hope Paul can continue his great form and put in a strong final season here to go out on a high note," said his coach, Ian Millward.

On the other side of the ledger, the game see the debut of Saints' new prop, Keith Mason, who arrived a week ago after spending 18 months in Australia with the Melbourne Storm.

Bradford will be without Scott Naylor and Paul Anderson for their visit to resurgent Hull on Sunday, which is expected to attract a 20,000 crowd to the Kingston Communications Stadium. Both have leg injuries.

London Broncos have been forced to postpone their home game against Huddersfield, scheduled for 22 June, because the Griffin Park pitch is still under repair. The game is now likely to be rearranged for August. Halifax have signed the Australian utility player Scott MacDougall, brother of the Australian Test winger Adam, on a month's trial.