Rugby League Showdown: Saints Await Injury Verdict on Key Playmaker
St Helens, the reigning rugby league champions, are on tenterhooks as they await the results of scans on half-back Lewis Dodd’s potentially serious arm injury. Dodd was forced off the field midway through the second half during Thursday’s extra-time victory over Salford Red Devils, leaving the Saints’ coaching staff, led by Paul Wellens, concerned about the extent of the damage.
Wellens acknowledged the team’s worries, stating, “> Lewis has a bit of an arm injury that we’re going to need to get scanned. We think it might be ligament-type damage, but we won’t know any more until we get those medical assessments.”
The loss of Dodd, who is set to join the NRL next year, would leave the Saints in a genuine crisis heading into the upcoming Magic Weekend showdown with local rivals Wigan Warriors. With Jonny Lomax still suspended and Jack Welsby unavailable, the Saints would be desperately short on pivot options if Dodd’s injury proves to be serious.
However, there was some positive news for the Saints, as Daryl Clark passed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) that had forced him off the field for the entirety of extra-time. Wellens also expressed hope that Agnatius Paasi had passed his HIA, but the coach acknowledged confusion around Paasi’s situation due to the new rules regarding instrumented mouthguards.
“Agnatius came off and didn’t have the instrumented mouthguard in. So when you leave the field, the new rules are that if you don’t have the instrumented mouthguard in, then you can’t return to the field regardless of whether you’ve passed or not,” Wellens explained.
The Saints’ medical staff and Paasi will now need to have a discussion to ensure such an incident does not happen again, as Wellens recognized it was an “unfortunate” situation, particularly given the team’s current injury concerns.
As the rugby league world eagerly awaits the results of Dodd’s scans, the Saints will be hoping to have their key playmaker available for the crucial clash with Wigan Warriors at Magic Weekend. With the team’s depth being tested, Wellens and his staff will need to navigate this challenge and maintain their pursuit of a second consecutive Super League title.
đź”— Source
