Walmsley expects Wigan to be a different animal

Last month Saints finished the regular season with a flourish, thumping the Warriors 23-4 on their own midden on a tumultuous evening.

And although that secured Saints two vital points, proved that they could mix it with the top four teams and handed the supporters some bragging rights and a night to remember, none of that counts for anything come 8pm Friday.

Walmsley said: “They will be looking for a big response and repay us for that game, that is no doubt.

“We can’t rest on our laurels and can’t look back at that game too much.

“It was a good performance but we are expecting a different animal off Wigan this week.

“They will be looking for revenge off the back of that and have got a few big players back since then.

“We have to approach it right and can’t afford a slow start like we did against Catalans.”

Saints have strung together a fine run of seven wins, but the last three against the top outfits have really propelled them up with the contenders.

And they have all been tough, physical battles against big packs - and there is more of that to come for a side that has genuine designs on Old Trafford.

“They have all been physical – we would like some easy games but we don’t get that luxury especially in the super 8s where you play big teams every week in the competition – teams with a hunger for the title,” Walmsley said.

“For the next five weeks they will be physical games and we have to make sure we win that physical battle.

“The pack has been going well and we spoke a couple of months ago about being the cornerstone of the revival.

“All the young boys have bought into it too, if you look how well Morgan Knowles has been doing and Greg Richards has been playing the best rugby since he made the first team, as is Luke Thompson.

“We are looking formidable, but we are not resting on laurels.”