SAINTS coach Paul Wellens has written off last week’s 60-point mauling suffered by tonight’s opponents Hull FC as a freak result - and is preparing for a tricky challenge accordingly.

Now bossed by former Huddersfield, Leeds, Warrington, Hull KR and Great Britain coach Tony Smith, Hull FC got off to a bright start with wins over Castleford and Leeds.

But, like Saints, they have lost their last two games - including the home thumping by Salford Red Devils.

So that will mean tonight’s game will be between two wounded beasts - with Saints particularly keen to shake themselves out of the slump they have encountered in the aftermath of winning the World Club Challenge.

Wellens said: “We look at Hull’s squad, with the calibre of players that they have got, and coach Tony Smith with a wealth of experience, and I won’t look too much into their result at the weekend.

“Sometimes you can get freak results and that is probably what happened.

“Hull are a team that went to Headingley earlier in the year and won so that should give you an indication of the quality that they have got in their team so we give them the utmost respect.

“I think you can safely say that there’s been a really unpredictable start to Super League with what many would class as surprise results.

“But if you look back at the history of Super League the first five weeks often throws up results people would not expect.”

Saints welcome back powerhouse Australian second row Curtis Sironen after he has served his one-match suspension - but Konrad Hurrell and Sione Mata’utia remain sidelined for a further game.

New recruit Wes Bruines is included in the 21-man squad - and if selected would be making his Saints debut.

Wellens said: “We have Curtis Sironen back - and he has been fantastic since he has been at the club and he is obviously a fantastic player and he improves us a team so it is great to have him.

“It is quite unusual that we lose back-to-back games, but they are an honest group and we sat down and went through some vision on Saturday morning.

“Although some of it is not nice to watch it can be strangely therapeutic in terms of looking where you can improve.

“There are a number of areas where we can get better - but we are disappointed with the way we performed.”

The game also acts as the first leg of the Steve Prescott Cup - the legendary former full back who served both sides with distinction.

St Helens 21-man squad v Hull FC.

1.Jack Welsby, 2. Tommy Makinson, 4. Mark Percival, 5. Jon Bennison, 6. Jonny Lomax, 7. Lewis Dodd, 8. Alex Walmsley, 9. James Roby, 10. Matty Lees, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Joey Lussick, 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 16. Curtis Sironen, 17. Agnatius Passi, 18. Jake Wingfield, 19. James Bell, 20. Dan Norman, 21. Ben Davies, 22. Sam Royle, 25. Tee Ritson, 34. Wesley Bruines.

The game kicks off at 8pm.