Saints' Eastmond pairs up with Pryce for the first time
Kyle Eastmond will get his first taste of life as St Helens' regular scrum-half tonight in Mike Bennett's testimonial against Halifax at Knowsley Road.
The versatile 20-year-old played a variety of roles for England in last autumn's Four Nations, but has yet to establish himself in Saints' first team. He needs to make his mark at No 7 quickly because he faces the task of succeeding Sean Long, who has departed for Hull. Eastmond will team up with Saints' stand-off Leon Pryce as a regular pairing for the first time this evening.
Saints also give a first run-out of the pre-season to Paul Wellens, James Roby, James Graham and Nick Fozzard, who is making his second debut for the club after returning from a season at Hull KR.
Halifax have included their two Papua New Guinean signings from Hull KR, Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue, in their squad. Crusaders have confirmed the signing of the former Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor released by Hull.
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