SO, it wasn’t to be this week for Saints and the collecting of the League Leaders Shield as we went down to a convincing 30-10 defeat against Wigan.

However, we have a chance to rectify this in the South of France this week.

One thing we must do in my opinion…boss the middle! I think in a couple of the recent defeats namely Catalan in the Challenge Cup semi-final and this week against the Warriors, our pack have been second best and physically dominated.

As we get down to the serious end of the season we don’t want to allow teams to think this is a way to beat Saints.

This week at Catalan, against a big aggressive pack, we get an opportunity to make a statement. To play with the skill and flair we have shown all year, and allow the likes of Percival and Makinson to do their stuff, we must earn the right and win that forward battle, this both on attack and defence.

With still four games left in the Super 8s, Saints still remain six points clear at the top of the table so it should be a matter of when rather than if the Shield will be making its way to the Totally Wicked Stadium. However, the big prize is still to play for and these next four games will be all about form and confidence going into that home semi-final draw….and with current standings looking like being against our other fierce rivals Warrington.

So, hopefully the fans will be celebrating in the Perpignan sun come Saturday evening. Catalan have failed in the last two weeks to show their Challenge Cup form, maybe understandably after such a high but also as they have very little to play for in the Betfred Super League, last week going down to a heavy defeat at 3rd placed Castleford Tigers, making that four consecutive league defeats.

I’m going to tip a Saints reaction and a win by 12+ pts (St Helens -4 Handicap is 5/6 at Betfred)

If Saints win it will be interesting to see how Justin Holbrook plays out the three remaining fixtures.

It is that million-dollar question in looking after your troops and doing your best to avoid injuries ahead of that all important semi-final, but also keeping that cohesion and rolling into the knock-out stages on top form.

I’m sure this is something Justin and his staff have already prepared for.

With the top four places all now secured, Saints, Wigan, Castleford and Warrington, all the next few weeks will decide is in what order they will finish. Currently Saints and Wigan will avoid each other in the semi’s if the league positions stay as they are….and what a Grand Final that would be! I always say, this derby is the biggest game in Rugby League and to host this in the games grandest stage would be a special finale to the 2018 Betfred Super League season.

Two big characters who would be bowing out if that was the case, Wigan boss Shaun Wane and, if rumours were to be true Saints Aussie star Ben Barba. The latter being strongly linked with a move back to the NRL with the Queensland Cowboys, who this week saw their talisman and future NRL Hall of Famer Johnathan Thurston play his last ever game. If this was to be the case, what a way to sign off with a Grand Final win, Saints first since that 14-6 triumph over Wigan in 2014.

No doubt ‘Waney’ will himself have the same idea! The Wigan boss this week spoke dismissed the myth of his hatred of his biggest rivals, but did admit beating them is his biggest joy.

There would certainly be plenty of talking points if these two meet at Old Trafford on October 13. Betfred still have Saints as 6/4 favourites, with the Warriors now at 15/8 following their win last week. Warrington thirds favourites at 4/1 with Castleford out at 9/2.

Anyway, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and take care of business this weekend! #COYS