Paul Sculthorpe's Saints column, in association with Betfred

I’M back...and so are the mighty Saints doing what they do best leading from the front.

Three wins from three and the current Betfred Super League champions are firm favourites to lift yet more silverware this season.

Led again by the irrepressible skipper James Roby, we are two from two in Betfred Super League after wins against Salford and Hull KR, scoring 54 points and only conceding 6 in 160 minutes of rugby, and last week knocked holders Leeds out of the Betfred Challenge Cup 26-18.

There has been some outstanding individual performances so far, and one that stood out to me and all of the Saints faithful last week was that of new boy Agnatius Paasi.

His impact off the bench was the highlight, in what was in truth a terrible game. I was impressed with his direct approach causing all sorts of problems for the Rhinos defence, and looked equally solid in defence.

He has great leg speed for a big man, something we saw when he broke clear, leaving the Leeds defenders trailing.

Another player who has started the year showing the form of last year is Jonny Lomax. Jonny delighted all the Saints fans by signing a new long term deal, following the lead of Alex Walmsley – both stating they want to see out their careers at the club they love – and are now both tied down until the end of 2024.

Lomax, 30, after signing his new deal thanked the club and fans for the loyalty shown to him earlier in his career, when he underwent an horrendous run of knee injuries, and several reconstructions.

However, after numerous questions on his best position, he has made the number 6 jersey his own, and looks set to claim the same shirt for England in October as we aim to win the RLWC2021 for the first time in over 50 years.

Next up for the Saints is Wakefield Trinity on Friday evening. Wakey will no doubt be keen to bounce back from their early exit from the Challenge Cup at the hands of a Sam Tomkins-inspired Catalans Dragons.

With 0 from 2 in the Betfred Super League too, I can’t see anything other than a convincing Saints win. Saints themselves, even with a win, will be looking for a huge improvement in performance from last week’s triumph over the Rhinos. I’m going for a 24 points or more win, which is evens at Betfred.

Anyway, it’s great to see RL back, be it on tv. Now we just want the fans back rocking the TWS.

As lock down starts to ease and the vaccine roll out continues to progress...please stay safe.