SAINTS coach Paul Wellens will this week seek clarification on the type of tackle employed by Leeds substitute Sam Walters to knock down prop Matty Lees.

Although there appeared to be no attempt by Walters to wrap his arms around the ball carrier when he hit him with his shoulder, no penalty was given to Saints.

Instead the penalty was given to Leeds after a stoppage - with Jack Welsby punished for running in and deemed to have been guilty of escalating the situation.

At that stage the scores were level at 24-all and the decision proved costly - handing Leeds the ball and pressure to build for the winner in the last five minutes, rather than the other way around.

When asked about that incident Wellens replied: “One thing I am hoping to do there with the referees - and there is a line of communication there - is get some clarity on what tackles are and aren’t allowed.

“Because we have got players within our team who like to play the game a certain way, physically.

“If that type of tackle is allowed then I will teach my players to do it, if it is not we should have got a penalty.

“I will get some clarity on that in the week.”

That incident felt typical of Saints’ misfortune at times during the match, including aspects that were self-inflicted.

And Wellens said the team needs to work on its discipline and composure.

“We did not get the rub of the green in certain situations which could have had a different bearing on the result, but that is completely out of our hands now.

“All we can do is move forward as a team and try and improve off the back of that.

“There were clear signs of frustration at times but that is one where we need to be better and channel that frustration in a positive way rather than the response we got tonight that is very unlike us.

“Discipline at times was a problem for us last season and it was a problem out there again tonight.

“There are no excuses - we will look where we can improve because will continue to get made if we want to keep putting ourselves in those positions.”