Agar stepped into the breach on Monday when the struggling club parted company with Aussie head coach Peter Sharp following their ninth defeat in 14 matches at Harlequins.

Whether it is a good or bad time for second-in-table Saints to take on the Airlie Birds amid a climate of uncertainty which surrounds the KC Stadium will be answered shortly after 7.30pm on Sunday but in front of their own vociferous fans the Humbersiders are more often than not a match for any other Super League club.

"Playing away to any opposition at this level is tough – and Hull will be no exception," said Saints' head coach Daniel Anderson.

Anderson added: "They may be at the bottom end of the competition table but Hull have been solid at the back and this is reflected in their defensive which is better than a number of other clubs.

"But the problem seems to lie at the other end where they have been unable to score many points." Saints are expecting Maurie Fa'asavalu to return from injury and haven't entirely ruled out Lee Gilmour who suffered an ankle problem in the dying moments of Saturday's home game against the Catalans Dragons.

But Paul Sculthorpe, who has only featured in four games this season due to injury, is unlikely to return and Anderson admitted yesterday that he was unsure when his club skipper would be back in action. The match, which will be screened live by Sky TV, kicks-off at 6pm.