BACKROW Dominique Peyroux has arguably been Saints’ most improved player since Justin Holbrook took the helm.

After a hit-and-miss season and a bit since arriving from the NRL, which saw him flitting between the centres and second row, Peyroux was overlooked by Holbrook when he first took the reins in May.

But the Samoan international has improved out of sight in the past three months, offering aggression and penetrative running to earn his spot in the 17.

That was illustrated by his right edge burst for Ryan Morgan’s try on Friday.

Holbrook said: “When I got here I did not have Dom in my side, I did not think he was playing well enough.

“Since then he has trained so hard and back then said 'I am ready when you give me an opportunity'.

“He had to wait five or six weeks for that, and was 18th man for a number of weeks, which is a horrible thing because you have to do all the warming up and then don’t get to play.

“He hung in there and then when he finally got to play he could not wait.

“I don’t think he has put a foot wrong since.

“The impact he has made has been outstanding – I thought he handled the situation of not getting picked well.

“He did not drop his bundle he just worked hard and is now getting his rewards.

“He is an awkward guy to tackle.”