I'LL be honest, I was shocked to hear that Saints haven’t won a Super League game in the South of France since 2018.

Unfortunately, nothing changed come full time as the visitors again went down 14-8 at the Stade Gilbert Brutus Stadium.

However, I’m sure coach Paul Wellens will look back on the game and reflect on what could and should have been.

Saints opened the scoring after 18 minutes as Jack Welsby cruised over from the scrum, as the defenders were more concerned by a committed Sione Matautia line.

Unfortunately goal kicking remains a big problem as Jonny Lomax failed to convert this, or Tommy Makinson’s effort just before half time.

These sandwiched a converted Mike McMeeken try for the home side, which punished some soft Saints defence. The visitors went in at the break with an 8-6 lead.

As expected between the then 1v2 in the Betfred Super League table, this was a very high intensity and physical battle.

Unfortunately neither team possessed the same standard of attacking quality. Saints came up with far too many unforced errors, which ultimately cost them the game.

They looked off the pace majority of the game, with uncharacteristic mistakes on both attack and defence.

The conditions certainly didn’t help either team with it being so warm, humid and slippery!

However, the experienced players in the Saints team know how to adapt - and unfortunately this didn’t happen.

You do have to credit the French aggressive defence and endeavour, led superbly by skipper Benjamin Garcia who never took a backwards step.

Lewis Dodd did miss a golden opportunity to extend the half time lead after great work by both Bell and Wingfield.

However he was miraculously held up over the line by an outstanding effort by Arthur Mourgue….something I’m sure Doddy will learn from next time in that position.

A poor defensive read by the right edge in the 65th was the decisive moment Catalan took the lead via a Matt Ikuvalu try.

A frustrated George Delaney, whom I must say is one of few to do his reputation no harm at all, had an issue with Dragons prop McMeeken rubbing heads, and certainly didn’t back down.

However George was penalised, and the aforementioned Mourgue gratefully converted putting the home side six clear with as many minutes left. That was the game.

I honestly don’t think there is a psychological issue with facing the Dragons at home despite not winning a Super League game in six years there, (they won in the cup in 2022) but looking at some of the individual performances and demeanours, maybe the whole travel and change of climate takes its toll.

Definitely something I’m sure Wello and his staff are looking at.

One positive was an amazing 1,200 Saints faithful over in Perpignan to cheer on their hero’s. Outstanding effort.

Title sponsors Betfred still have Wigan as 5/4 favourites for Super League success, despite that Good Friday loss to the Saints, who remain 9/4 second favourites just ahead of the 7/1 Dragons and 8/1 Wolves.

This week doesn’t get any easier or less important, as on Sunday St Helens face rivals Warrington in the Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter Finals.

Sam Burgess and Co come to the Totally Wicked Stadium on the back of a dominant 34-8 win over Leeds last Friday. They sit second in the table, above Saints on points difference having both now lost two of their opening seven games.

I still believe despite an off day on Saturday, Saints are the better of the two sides, and I’ve no doubts there will be nobody more urgent to prove this on Sunday than the Saints boys.

Warrington certainly have their own threats across the park, none more so than England Skipper George Williams, and when he performs at his best then usually so do Wire.

Matty Ashton has been in great form this season so far, and in the pack two young players who have definitely had an impact on their team's performance this season, James Harrison and former Wigan youngster Matty Nicholson.

Betfred unsurprisingly offer odds for Challenge Cup glory in the same order as their Super League offer ie Wigan (11/8), Saints at 9/4 with Catalans 13/2 while next up are Warrington at 12/1.

I’m going to say Saints march on to the semis with win of over ten against the Wolves which is evens at Betfred.

Finally, I keep reading about potential interest of Lewis Dodd and the NRL.

We all know what ability the lad has, and something his coach has reiterated, but my message to Lewis would be forget about that in this current time in your career.

Focusing on improving every aspect of your game and become the best 7 in the Betfred Super League first.

I’d love to see Lewis take a bit more responsibility on Saints attack and a bit more individual involvement before contemplating his next career move.