SAINTS must overcome the potent attacking threat of Super League’s surprise package Salford Red Devils if they are to keep alive their hopes of winning an unprecedented fourth Grand Final.

A place at Old Trafford is the prize at stake in Saturday’s game (1pm) which pitches the League Leaders Shield winners against the side that everyone has been talking about since their late season surge into the top six.

Salford, seeking a first win at Saints since 1980, come to the TWS with a spring in their steps despite the loss off key half back Brodie Croft with a head knock – and emerged emboldened from their eliminator with Huddersfield after an impressive 25-0 triumph.

Saints have already had their card marked by the fast-starting, attack-from-anywhere Red Devils after a 44-12 shellacking in July.

That was a game coach Kristian Woolf admitted his side were “not at the races” for but expects a totally different attitude in finals football – something Saints have done well since 2019 in racking up three in a row.

As has happened in previous play-off series, including 2019 and Salford, much of the focus and chatter in the build-up is on the teams finishing in positions 5 and 6 rather than 1 and 2.

But Woolf admits that Paul Rowley’s Red Devils deserve their accolades.

He said: “There is doubt that Salford are playing some good footy and playing confidently.

“They move the ball well and with confidence and it has been successful for them.

“They deserve the accolades they have got at the back end of the year and deserve to be in the semis.

“But we are confident as well and going into this game knowing that we know how to win these sorts of games.”

Saints’ edges were pulled apart last time the sides met with Tim Lafai in particular marmalising opposite number Konrad Hurrell to offload with good effect.

Woolf is confident that the Saints defence, so stingy in the early months of the campaign, can go back to that model based on ruthless, aggressive line speed that was so successful.

“We have proven if we defend at our best and with players in the right position we are very hard to break and that is what we need to bring this week,” Woolf said.

When asked about Salford missing Croft, Woolf replied: “It’s the same sort of miss as missing Lewis Dodd since round 9 to be honest.

“We have all got things to overcome. That is what we are going to do – it is up to them to do the same.”