OLI’S JOLLY DAY

WAYNE BENNETT says debutant Oliver Gildart’s defensive ability gave him the edge over St Helens’ centre Mark Percival.

Bennett has consistently overlooked Percival during his time in charge, with John Bateman previously filling in at centre, and has now selected late call-up Gildart, of Wigan, and Hull utility Jake Connor in the three-quarters.

Bennett explained: “I watched Oliver Gildart through his last month of rugby here and defensively I thought he was very good and we’re going to need that.”

On Connor, Bennett

(right) added: “He is highly skilled and a bit of an X-factor.

“When he has ball in his hands he can do things – he’s not one-dimensional.”