Sculthorpe is just one of 10 Saints on the sidelines

The Tetley's Super League champions pulled out this morning after an injury crisis ruled out seven members of their proposed Sevens squad.

London Welsh, who have won the tournament eight times in the past, will now provide the first-round opposition for Leicester Tigers, with the rest of the draw remaining intact.

"We were disappointed with St Helens' decision but we understand it was due to exceptional circumstances and we wish all their injured players a speedy recovery," said Charles Hogbin, of the organising committee.

"However, this has given us an opportunity to invite tournament regulars London Welsh who I know will prove worthy competitors."

St Helens' bid to emulate the previous Twickenham victories of Bradford and Wigan was thwarted by a savage crop of injuries that has left them without 10 regulars for Friday's Super League match against Castleford.

Their withdrawal is a major blow to the tournament, which was won in trail-blazing fashion 12 months ago by their Super League rivals Bradford.

In a statement the club said: "Following a risk assessment of this unprecedented injury crisis, the St Helens board believe that it is better to withdraw from the event rather than send an under-strength team to Twickenham."

Revised draw:

First round (starts 1120BST):
Gloucester v British Army, Harlequins v Leeds, Young England v London Irish, Newcastle v Loughborough University, Sale Sharks v Saracens, Rotherham v Northampton, Bath v Wasps, Leicester v London Welsh.