NOW four points clear at the summit of the Betfred Super League as we enter the second half of the season - and the Saints are on target for their assault on a fourth consecutive Grand Final triumph.
One thing for sure, they were not going to allow bottom club Toulouse to again cause an upset.
The current champions ran out 28-14 victors, but as expected didn’t have everything their own way.
It is always a gruelling trip to France, and coach Kristian Woolf admitted that travelling the day before the game had taken its toll on the players, but also praised the professionalism and superior ability to get the job done.
That win also puts daylight between the chasing Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons.
The win aside, another positive was the return of speedster Regan Grace, who the gaffer thought was the best player on the field in his first game back from injury.
The Welshman crossed the whitewash with a 65th minute interception, but it was also his work on and off the ball that captured the eye.
It makes such a difference to the forward pack having two wingers like Regan and Tommy Makinson who carry the ball back with such intent. Two players with both speed and agility who more often than not get their noses through the defensive lines and their team on the front foot.
All the talk at the moment is Regan’s current contract negotiations.
His current one-year deal comes to an end at the end of this season and the club are obviously keen to keep him, amongst the usual rumours of NRL and WRU interest. Let’s hope a deal for him to stay can be agreed ASAP.
Meanwhile, in the rest of the Betfred Super League, the aforementioned Dragons surprisingly went down at home to the beaten Challenge Cup finalists Huddersfield Giants.
I say surprisingly, as the following game after such a highly intense Cup Final week can be tough, especially when your opponents have had a week off to refresh…clearly Ian Watson’s team had other ideas!
That was a shock result but nowhere near as big an upset as the Warrington- Leeds game...or more accurately the manner of defeat.
In the current crisis the Wolves are in, losing isn’t a surprise but to go down 40-4 to another ‘big’ club who have been far from convincing in 2022, I’m sure is not acceptable by the fans or the hierarchy at the club.
Take nothing away from the Leeds Rhinos, who it’s obvious new coach Rohan Smith has made an instant impact, but to play so bad that your home fans leave with over 20 minutes remaining, and coach Daryl Powell scathing in his assessment to the ringing sound of boos from the Warrington faithful, is just not acceptable.
Wire showed a couple of weeks back against Saints what they are capable of and the intensity they can play at. It is clearly an attitude issue - and one they need to address quickly.
The latest Betfred odds, unsurprisingly have Saints as clear favourites for Old Trafford glory at evens, with Catalans 10/3, Wigan 4/1…while the Wolves have drifted even further to 20/1.
Next up for Saints are Hull KR who travel to the Totally Wicked Stadium for an old school 3pm on a Sunday KO!
The Robins are coming off a dominant win against the Salford Red Devils last week, but I can’t see past a home win this time so I’m going for Saints by more than 20 points (6/4 at Betfred)
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