BACK-to-back Super 8 losses have suddenly turned tonight’s game against Huddersfield into a pivotal moment in Saints’ 2015 campaign.

Although Keiron Cunningham’s men are still well-placed in third, if they do not stop the rot this week then alarm bells will start ringing.

To intensify matters at the top of the table opponents Huddersfield, who would leapfrog Saints with a four-point victory at Langtree Park, and fifth-placed Castleford are both in fine form.

That means that if Saints don’t buck the losing habit, which has whittled away their regular season points cushion, there is a serious risk that they could lamely surrender their title without even making the knockout stages.

After a woeful performance against Hull, Saints must now post a statement with a performance and result against a Giants side that will bring plenty of physicality in the middle, no little guile in the halves and plenty of strike out wide.

Cunningham said: “Huddersfield are a really good side – they went to Wigan and run them really close after starting that game so physically.

“And then they beat Catalans who were on the crest of a wave after their win against us.

“Catalans really made them work and threw a lot at them with Todd Carney coming back and really making them play.

“It was a good physical game and they will be coming here filled with confidence.

“We have only beat them by small margins the times we have played them so it is always going to be a tough tussle.

“I am sure this won’t be any different.”

The last time the two two teams met at Langtree Park, a bizarre, tit-for-tat game ensued in which full back Adam Quinlan scored three tries on his debut.

Saints eventually won that one 35-34 with a late Luke Walsh drop goal; not the first time that the number seven has punished the Giants.

Cunningham said: “I watched the game from last time out on Monday morning and it was insane, especially considering going into it we both had top defences in the comp.

“Baloo was a bit emotional after that game after Walshy had picked his pocket again.”

With tough trips to Leeds and Castleford next up for Saints, they need to win this one to ensure their play-off spot ambitions are kept within their own destiny.