St Helens v Salford: Ben Barba could be in St Helens’ side sooner rather than later

JUSTIN Holbrook admits Ben Barba will be thrown into St Helens’ side as soon as possible.

And if their appeal against him serving a 12-match NRL ban after testing positive for cocaine is successful, it could be as soon as next week.

BERNARD PLATT

Ben Barba may be showing his skills on the field sooner than many people thought[/caption]

Chairman Eamonn McManus is challenging the Rugby Football League’s decision to invoke a suspension from another governing body, not a worldwide anti-doping ban.

Saints have hit out at the supposed delay of the appeal, which will now be heard on Wednesday,

McManus said: “We were already bemused by the protracted period prior to being granted a tribunal hearing date.

“That has now been deferred further at the unilateral request of the RFL and without, in our opinion, good or valid reason.

“By next week it will already be six Super League games since we signed Ben Barba under the much heralded second marquee exemption ruling as proposed and recommended by the RFL itself.

Bernard Platt

“We merely legitimately seek to appeal the discretionary decision of the RFL to adopt his 12-match suspension from the NRL. We consider that we have an extremely strong case. However, the procedural process is proving to be inordinately long.”

If the hearing goes Saints’ way, expect Barba to face Leeds on Thursday.

Coach Holbrook said: “If we are successful with the appeal I would be happy to play him as soon as possible so we will see how that goes.

“You have seen players at other clubs who have got that unpredictability and who play off -the-cuff stuff – like Ben Roberts, Rangi Chase, Albert Kelly and Danny Brough – it will be great to have someone like that.

BERNARD PLATT

Barba is currently serving a 12-game drugs ban, but St Helens believe he should not serve the NRL punishment in Super League[/caption]

“He has only had a week-and-a-half off training, I know he has not played rugby for a while but he has still been training.”

Even though 28-year-old full-back Barba cannot face Salford tonight, he has already had an impact at St Helens after starting training with them on Monday.

Holbrook added: “Ben Barba’s arrival lifts everyone – coaches and players and the club itself.

“Everyone involved is looking forward to having him here.

“Ben can join in all the parts and will do everything apart from, because he’s not in the 17, the captain’s run.

“He will be able to take part in 90 per cent of our training.”