JAMES Bentley’s performances for St Helens since his return from a broken leg have divided opinion among supporters.

The powerful forward’s passionate approach towards getting stuck into the opposition sees him playing the game on the fine line between being within and outside the rules of the game.

He has been sin-binned in the past two matches, the first in a rare home loss to Castleford Tigers and then in the superb away win against Wigan who had three of their own sin-binnings.

The 23-year-old has been among the team’s top tacklers in the two games, he has given away the most penalties – two of the team’s five at Wigan and three of the team’s 12 against Cas.

 

Saints head coach Kristian Woolf is clear about his feelings on the player who is heading to Leeds Rhinos at the end of the season.

“I love his toughness. I love his desire to work. I love his tenacity,” said Woolf.

“We’re a much better team with him in the side, that’s for sure.

“There’s a couple of things over the last couple of weeks he’s got to clean up, but he’s very aware of that and he will clean it up.

“He’s a very good player for a reason and I’ve got no doubt that he will clean that up.”