Anderson said: "I was not happy how Maurie was injury. Most of the players in the game are aware of Rob's unique style of tackling in certain positions when he is behind an opponent and he can easily snap a player's leg.

"We have known about it since last year and most players in the dressing-room are terrified of it.

"I don't think he is intentionally trying to injury anyone – he his only attempting to wrestle the player to the ground – but his technique is flawed and this is why the RFL outlawed it from Monday.

"They have sent him a letter saying it is contrary to the spirit of the game and I applause their decision because we can't have quality players injury which is detrimental to the competition."

Club skipper Paul Sculthorpe and Kyle Eastmond will also be absent from squad which travels to Cardiff.

Sculthorpe is suffering from a torn pectoral muscle, which will keep him on the sidelines for two to three weeks, while Eastmond is expected to be out of action for up to a month with a nasty shoulder injury.

But Leon Pryce, who picked up a hamstring injury in training before Friday's match at Warrington, is fit to resume and so, too, is Paul Wellens after missing the last two games with a quad problem.

Jon Wilkin (wrist injury) and Jason Cayless (ankle problem) are also expected to be named in the 19-man squad as Saints set their sights on completing a hat-trick of victories over their old foes in the Welsh capital during the past few years.

The Knowsley Road outfit defeated Wigan 32-16 in the 2004 Challenge Cup Final and 34-18 in last year's inaugural Millennium Magic Weekend, but Anderson is wary of the threat the Warriors will pose.

"They are a very dangerous team, " said the Saints' boss.

"I have seen them play well and also badly but you always need to be on your guard as they have some top class players in their side."

Willie Talau, who scored two tries in the Challenge Cup Final victory, said: "No one wants to lose a derby game, irrespective of where it is being staged, and we will be all revved up for it."