Perelini back to strengthen Saints

Apollo Perelini is returning to rugby league to become St Helens' new strength and conditioning coach.

Perelini spent six seasons with Saints before moving to Sale three years ago. "I like to get former players who have been successful back in," Saints' coach, Ian Millward, said. "Apollo had a real aura about him and I'm excited about getting him back on board."

Millward has ruled out Paul Sculthorpe, who has missed the last seven games with a hamstring injury, for this Friday's final game of the regular season against Bradford, and said that he might not even appear in the play-offs. "If that means that he doesn't play for the rest of the season but plays in the Ashes, so be it," he said.

The Leeds coach, Daryl Powell, says he will have no qualms about fielding Ryan Bailey in the play-offs after his release from a young offenders' institution. Bailey is serving nine months for his part in a nightclub brawl, but could be released almost two weeks before the Super League Grand Final. "I don't see any reason why we should rule him out," Powell said.

The Warrington prop forward Mark Hilton will miss the crucial final game against Wakefield on Sunday after being banned for three matches for a high tackle at Huddersfield last weekend.

Widnes have confirmed that their forward Anthony Farrell will retire at the end of the season. Hull have signed Peter Lupton, who has been on loan from Leeds, on a one-year contract, and the former Halifax forward Shayne McMenemy for two years. Brett Dallas is hoping to sign a new deal at Wigan soon.