SAINTS coach Paul Wellens was asked about potential further recruitment following this week's announcement of Lewis Murphy.

Wellens also spoke about what Murphy will bring next year before switching his focus to this season as it approaches its conclusion, starting with Saturday's trip to Warrington.

MC: A number of players have slotted on to that left wing this past two years, but does it finally feel like you have a replacement for Regan Grace?

PW: Potentially. For Lewis is about coming over, it's about working really hard and competing for a place in the team because it's not an easy team to get in to so he is going to have to work really hard, as are a number of players.

There will be a real competition for places, particularly in the outside backs when you look at next year’s squad.

It's good for myself as coach to have a number of options, but I am delighted to be able to add someone of the quality of Lewis to the squad.

The key thing is we are always looking to add depth and strength to our squad.

MC: Given the possibility/likelihood of other exits will there be scope for a bit more business on the recruitment front to fill in for those potentially departing?

PW: There's still a couple of things up in the air there, so it will depend on how things pan out in the next few weeks with what else we look to do.

There is potential that we can still add further to the squad.

But again, that's based on the number other things that have yet to be decided.

MC: If we look at the results from the weekend, including Leigh winning against Warrington, does the league table leave you where you expected to be as you still know what you need from the last three games?

PW: The really important thing for us at the weekend, regardless of what was going on around us, was to win that game at Huddersfield. I was delighted that we were able to do that and I think what we probably face is a similar challenge in the next couple of weeks as well.

I have looked at the fixtures and the different permutations that could happen, but at the same time you can't get too caught up in it.

My main priority is getting a team ready for a performance at Warrington at the weekend.

MC: You absolutely needed to win at Huddersfield, defeat there would have been catastrophic with what you need from the rest of the season, but what do you want/need/expect from the Warrington game?

PW: Some people will see them as favourites and that Warrington will be a difficult place to go, with them having already beaten us twice this year.

It is going to be a tough game for us but we are going there with a tough mindset of what we need to do to win the game. That focus has not changed, regardless of personnel.

MC: Warrington terrorised Saints in that cup game, not just on the edges – but in those quick rucks and getting out of dummy half. How do you nullify that?

PW: Warrington have a number of threats – they are a dangerous team – particularly off the back of ruck speed and that is where the likes of George Williams comes into the game really effectively and with Matt Dufty out they now have Cai Taylor-Wray has been doing a great job there.

They have strike in the three-quarters, players like Matt Ashton, Toby King, Josh Thewlis and Rodrick Tai playing well – they have strike all over the field and we’ll have to work hard to nullify that.

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MC: Young Cae Taylor-Wray has had a similar spurt to Harry Robertson and are on similar journeys and triggering equal excitement – and they split the full back role for England Academy earlier this year. Taylor-Wray is very fast though - and as such a danger?

PW: Yes, he is quick and the try he scored at Castleford a couple of weeks ago just highlights the level of talent he's got. And you're right, he is very similar to Harry Robertson in that respect.

Two you players who have been given an opportunity and are very much showing what they are capable of.

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MC: Sticking on young players, what was the thinking behind Jonny Vaughan playing at 9 last week – a role he last played in the Academy?

PW: Nine not somewhere we would see as his natural position.

Obviously he's more comfortable in the centres or back row - but we that's where his future lies with the club.

But given the circumstances we are in and a recognised 9 Daryl Clark out injured and his back up 9 Moses Mbye needed to a job in the halves.

So just having Jake Burns there we needed someone there who had experience at 9 and Jonny had that with the Academy.

I spoke closely with Derek Traynor (Academy coach) around how often he's done that and his level when he did do that.

Derek said he was more than confident that he can get in there and do a job. So that's exactly what he what he did and was delighted with his contribution.

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MC: At this stage of the year what's the big thing that you need from Saturday afternoon?

PW: I want to say us improve on last week’s performance. There's a lot I liked about it, but not by any stretch of the imagination it was not a brilliant performance – more a kind of get the job done type display.

I want us to go out there with a competitiveness and resilience and keep showing those qualities.

But we can be better in a few areas and when we get an opportunity, try and nail them because as I mentioned, big games at the back end of the year , opportunities are few and far between. So we need to be clinical there and I'm hoping to make some improvements.