ROYCE Simmons will instruct his players to attack in numbers in Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final in an attempt to break the shackles of Wigan’s swarming defence.

The Australian is acutely aware that dictating the speed of the play-the-ball will be a decisive battleground in Saints’ quest to reach Wembley.

He will order his team to employ tactics aimed at preventing their opponents from choking the life out of Saints’ attack.

Simmons, who is confident joint captain James Graham will overcome a troublesome back injury to take his place in the starting line-up at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, was dismayed at the one-man rugby evident in his side’s attack during the 10-32 defeat to Wigan in June.

He insists Saints must ask questions of their opponents around the ruck if they are to disrupt the gang tackling and wrestling methods that have underpinned the success of Michael Maguire’s side.

Looking ahead to what is unquestionably the biggest game of his Saints reign, Simmons said: “They are extremely good at getting that third man in (to the tackle) and squeezing and slowing you down.

“There is no doubt they will try to slow down Graham and Roby, so what we have to do is put heads in motion around the play-the-ball.

“We cannot afford to carry the ball one out – you do that and they make good contact with you and then they hold you, get the third man in – then that all takes time (slowing down the play-the-ball).

“For some reason last time we wanted to get one-out running at them instead of moving them to the edges and keeping them guessing what we are doing. So we will speak a lot about that in the build up to the game – about putting heads in motion and putting plays on.”

Simmons revealed Graham, whose back has been going into spasm because of a disc problem, will be given until the final preparations on Friday to prove his fitness.

He said: “He had a scan that showed there was a bit of a bulging disc that had gone back into place but apparently you could see a bit of a problem from that.

“He has got the power back in his legs – so that is some sort of a good sign – but his back is still in spasm. We will monitor him through the week, give him the Captain’s Run and then do some squeezing and wrestling techniques and see how it affects him.”

Simmons is hopeful the prop’s fierce determination will drive him towards fitness.

“I’m confident he will be okay. He is more than 50/50,” said Simmons.

“He has (also) had a little bit of concussion lately so we will rest him right up this week. I wouldn’t want to be going into the semi-final without him – he leads from the front.”

James Roby, who has escaped a suspension after pleading guilty to a dangerous throw against Castleford, is expected to shrug off a hand injury to start, while Jonny Lomax and Jon Wilkin should also recover from knocks. Shaun Magennis is ruled out with the groin tear he suffered at the weekend.

Simmons admitted seven players who he hopes to include in his 19-man squad, including Francis Meli and Sia Soliola, did not train on Tuesday but the coach appears confident they will be passed fit.

Meanwhile, the former Kangaroos hooker is mindful that his side will need to be wary of the elusive Wigan full back Sam Tomkins, who has been in destructive form in recent weeks.

He said: “He is a fantastic footballer so when you give him the ball it has to be on your terms – in controlled situations.

“If someone decides to have a kick and doesn’t tell the rest of the side you are in trouble.”

Gary Wheeler is expected to return from injury in the under 20s at the weekend against Hull. Paul Clough stepped up his return in the academy match at Castleford.