WOW...it doesn’t get much better than that! We all wanted the Betfred Super League back with a bang...and didn’t we get it?

It was fantastic to see Rugby League take centre stage and provide the nation with some gripping live action on Sunday. The boys certainly didn’t disappoint…credit to all for putting on such a show.

And I’m not just talking about Saints, although they were pretty special! I predicted a solid win for us, but didn’t expect such a clinical display after 140 days of no games, to thrash the Catalan Dragons by 34-6.

St Helens Star:

After such a long break, and the first game under the new rule changes we expected a fast game, again the players didn’t disappoint. Catalan applied early pressure, with some big name players like State Of Origin star James Maloney at the heart, but Saints soon resumed control.

Talking of big names, unfortunately following his sacking from the Australian RFU for homophobic remarks on social media, Catalan winger Israel Folau has brought his controversial ways to Super League, being the only player not to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Our sport has always prided itself on values and respect, and people like this are an unwanted distraction. Anyway, that’s enough airtime for him.

St Helens Star:

Man of the Match Lachlan Coote opened up the scoring after beautiful hands from Zeb Taia, followed by the ultra-competitive James Bentley beating Catalan winger Fouad Yaha to the ball, before Taia himself got over the whitewash to give the champions a 16-nil lead. It certainly was a case of the Saints go marching in behind closed doors at Headingley.

Speaking of marching, it was great to watch the big man Alex Walmsley march through the Dragons defence, showing great strength and determination as he added the final try, to complete Saints resounding return to action.

Looking back at the game, it fills me with great confidence that Saints can keep our hands on that Betfred Super League trophy.

The players have obviously looked after themselves and worked hard through lockdown, and secondly with the recent rule changes and less breakages in play it plays right into our hands. I think we saw this on Sunday, as Catalan couldn’t match our energy levels, and the more tired and indisciplined they got the least they could do to stop the Saints juggernaut.

St Helens Star:

With Mr Perpetual Motion James Roby leading the way from dummy half, we did what Saints teams do best and destroy teams on the front foot.

Also, it was great to see James Graham back out there in the red V.

Gaffer Kristian Woolf has been very complimentary of Jammer’s impact on his teammates already. Also, special mentions for Mark Percival, on his first game back since shoulder surgery in 2019, and the machine Morgan Knowles who I thought were both exceptional in a great team performance.

St Helens Star:

So on to the second game of Super Sunday. You will rarely see a better game for any neutrals out there. Luke Gale landed a golden-point drop-goal to complete a remarkable comeback victory for Leeds against Huddersfield Giants – a result that puts the Rhinos top of the table with a game in hand.

That sets up this weekend perfectly, as we go back to Headingley to face the Rhinos, undoubtedly game of week in the Betfred Super League round 8. The Rhinos were far from convincing against the Giants, and for 60 minutes weren’t in the game, but showed great spirit to fight back for the win.

I think if Saints can produce a performance like last weekend, ruthless, disciplined and highly skilled I think we have way too much for the league leaders. I’m going for a 14 points or more win which is 3/1 with our title sponsors Betfred.