SAINTS' final fixture of the Super 8s at Salford has been been brought forward to Thursday, September 21 - Hull's game will be the day after leaving Wakefield and Wigan to play on the Saturday knowing exactly what they need to do to qualify for the semi-finals.

Of course, it may all be academic by then if the results fall differently.

And Saints – of course – could have taken all this out of the equation had they beaten Hull on that dreadful night, or Leeds, or Wigan....

But that does not make it right.

Staggering the fixtures in this way risks damaging the integrity of the competition.

That is a shame. The battle for the final two semi-final play off spots could not be more finely poised.

Challenge Cup winners Hull FC are in the box seat for one of those spots, but Wakefield, Saints and Wigan are all keenly chasing a knockout place that would put them 80 minutes from Old Trafford.

Salford’s recent slide probably puts them out of the picture - but they could still be a fly in the ointment and have some very capable players.

This part of the competition has turned into a far more competitive finale than was predicted when this system was first hatched.

Sure there is still a scope for rogue results from teams who have already qualified or – as the weeks roll on – become unable to make the cut, but nowhere near as has been predicted in the past.

The battle this year at least that keeps the focus on the top division.

Too often the big focus has revolved around the the Million Pound Game and who could be going through the trapdoor.

But the tightness at the top means that the last two places could be settled by the tightest of margins.

Every result matters, but matter even more for the teams - like Saints - who are going to be reliant on other teams.

When the margins are so tight, no team should have any form of edge when it comes to timing.

But I am afraid that the re-scheduling of fixtures to meet television needs has possibly done just that.

Of course, he who plays the piper calls the tune and obviously Sky want the game that is going to decide the fate of the last semi spot.

It is almost set up like a series of eliminators - and of course that is exciting.

But surely there is a pitfall here - namely Wakefield and Wigan having a huge advantage.

Let’s say it boils down to points difference and one of Wigan or Wakey need to win by a certain number of points to go past Saints or Hull.

This timing tells them exactly how to play the game.

They should have done, like they do in football, played all the games that have a bearing on the top on the same day.

Is it beyond their capabilities to ask the television to split screen it and flit between games if they need them both?

Saints will have to put that out of their minds and win three games and hope for a slip, but for the good of the game I do hope that the last round is not shrouded with controversy.