SAINTS have changed their normal routine for Saturday’s Super 8s opener against Catalans Dragons.

In the past the club have flown out on Thursday and returned on Sunday for games in the south of France.

But this time Saints will copy Leeds’ model of flying out to Perpignan on Saturday morning and returning straight after the match.

Explaining the reasons behind the change of approach, coach Keiron Cunningham said: “I am mindful going forward that every one of these seven Super 8s games are important.

“I am really mindful that we have to do the right thing and need to be back home for Sunday to give my players the day off and then get them back in to get them recovered and ready for Friday night against Hull.

“It is something new. We will see on Saturday if it does or doesn’t work.

“We have to go out and try and win every game to do well in this competition and get as high up on the table as we can.”

Saints lost heavily in Perpignan last year, but May’s game was much closer with the Dragons only winning it through Zeb Taia’s late try.

Cunningham said: “I know what we have got to do and have no concerns about them.

“Catalans concede an average of 22 points a game, so if we play well we will score points.”