Saints will give Sione Mata'utia time to decide his future

The 26-year-old former Australian international is midway through his third season at the club having joined from NRL club Newcastle Knights ahead of the 2021 campaign.

Saints are currently well-blessed in the second row through Joe Batchelor and Curtis Sironen, who has likely to have impressed enough for the club to trigger the third year option in his contract.

And add into that mix England Knights second row Matt Whitley, even more strongly linked with a move to Saints after Catalans coach Steve McNamara accepted he was resigned to losing the Billinge-born packman to a move closer to home.

With the number 13 role likely to be worked between Morgan Knowles and James Bell for the foreseeable future – and Jake Wingfield continuing to progress in the red vee – Saints have significant depth in the back row.

However, there is still a place for Mata’utia and the physicality on both sides of the ball and big game nous that he brings to the occasion.

Coach Paul Wellens said: “Talks have been positive between us but he has to sort out in his own head whether it's the right decision and there's numerous factors at play which Sione needs to think about.

“And it's just really important that we as a team allow Sione at that time.

“He's a really brilliant bloke, a brilliant player, really well-respected member of the group because he because he is all of those things were going to be a little bit more patient to give that time.”

Given Saints’ depth in the second row, it could be that Mata’utia spends more time as a middle going forward.

On Sunday at Magic he and Agnatius Paasi were the interchange props, with Mata’utia having a forceful game in helping lay the platform for the fancy stuff that came off the back of that.

Although Saints have a quality middle unit with Alex Walmsley, Matty Lees, Paasi and 19-year -old George Delaney on an upward trajectory, another middle would cover against the occupational hazards that go with the role.

Although Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook continues to bring something to the table, and again gave an energetic try-scoring display at Magic that belied his 37 years, Saints will eventually need to freshen up the squad after going into this year largely unchanged.

Mata’utia spelled Lees in the middle in the first half at Magic, before replacing Sironen in the second row later in the game – showing his versatility for both roles.

Wellens said: “Sione was excellent in the middle and then he moved to an edge where he's really good.

“What I don't want to do is really pigeon-hole Sione there.

“I think when we brought him to the club he was someone who could play middle, but also edge.

“I see a bit of flexibility there and the biggest compliment I can pay him he’s not bothered. He's just how happy to get out there and happy to compete.

“I think he's equally effective wherever equally so and I think that's shown today.

“When you have the likes of Sione and Agnatius coming off the bench and I thought Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, for a 37-year-old, was excellent too and along with Joey Lussick gave us a real lift.”