IT’S a heaven-sent opportunity for Saints on Friday!

A dream opportunity to put one over our arch-rivals Wigan – and be confirmed as winners of the Betfred Super League leaders shield over the second-placed Warriors.

That would make it a perfect run in to the semi-finals and hopefully Grand Final glory at Old Trafford on October 13.

A win at the TWS would see Saints crowned League Leaders and guaranteed home semi-finalists with four games still to play. This would allow Justin Holbrook opportunity to rotate and rest his senior players in preparation for the semis.

Saying that, it is important to hit the knockout stages with momentum and on form.

However, one thing we do know is Wigan boss Shaun Wane will not want to see his team hand the trophy to their fiercest derby rivals, and that his team will be fired up to get the win.

I’m of course backing Saints to take the points, in what I think will be a cracking game. I’ll go for Saints by four points (5/6 at Betfred)

Wigan themselves are being hard chased by Castleford for that second home semi-final spot, who will be hoping the Catalan Dragons have enjoyed their Challenge Cup victory too much! Its always a tough game back after such a high, and the Tigers won’t be sympathetic when they travel to Perpignan on Saturday.

On the Dragons, congratulations to Steve McNamara and his team on that historic win at Wembley on Saturday. They were deserving winners against favourites Warrington Wolves.

Tony Gigot took the Lance Todd Award for Man of the Match, but must have been hard pushed by former Wigan favourite Micky McIlorum and the impressive Mickael Simon. The big French side came out of the blocks the quickest and won the physical battle over the Wolves.

Lots of people questioning if this win is good for our game….how can it not be? They are deserving winners, and if this helps to further inspire rugby league in France then it’s a win win. Also, great to have French President Emmanuel Macron tweeting his support. Bien Joue Dragons!

Warrington will be looking to put the disappointment behind them and focus on retaining that fourth place in the Super 8s. They face Hull FC on Thursday and will be wanting a much-improved performance from Saturday. They looked completely out of sorts in the final and at times clueless on what their game plan was.

With fifth place and form team Huddersfield Giants only four points behind them, gaffer Steve Price will be demanding a win. He looked understandably devastated at weekend. I’m backing them to respond and beat Hull by 10pts (evens at Betfred)

Betfred have Saints 11/10 to win the Grand Final with Wigan 3/1, Castleford 4/1, Warrington 9/2 with outsiders Huddersfield Giants at 33/1.

Let’s hope they are right!