PLENTY of early season focus has justifiably been on the sparkling displays of superstar Ben Barba in Saints’ opening two wins of the season, but in the thick of the action Luke Thompson’s muscular carries in laying a platform have not gone unnoticed.

The 22-year-old former Bold Miners junior has slowly but surely consolidated himself as a fully fledged member of the front row union since breaking into the squad in 2014.

And his no-nonsense approach on both sides of the ball in France on Saturday was hailed by Justin Holbrook as being a key factor in helping Saints secure the spoils.

The Saints boss said: “I thought he was our best.

“The way he carried the ball against a big, strong, physical Catalans team was impressive.

“It was hard for us, with the lack of ball we had, to put many dints in them, but I thought Tommo stood up with every stint and carry that he made, and that made a difference.

“That went a long way to us winning the game.”

Saints came out of the game with no injuries, but it was a bruising encounter, which combined with travel, took plenty out of them leaving Holbrook content with an upcoming blank weekend.

Holbrook said: “As much as I want to play every week, it won’t hurt us to freshen up to be ready to go for the week after.

“Every game of rugby league is different and you can’t just carry on from the week before as much as you’d love to.

“It was a really tough game.

“The boys were up at 6am to travel and play that afternoon.

“For them to go through that on the day and perform the way they did, particularly the scramble in defence, was pleasing.

“If ever you have got a week where you are not going to work hard, that is your excuse right there.

“The boys really pulled together and dug deep and it was a really important how we won that game.

“They had had a lot of ball but we kept turning up for each other in how well they defended.”