SAINTS coach Paul Wellens covered plenty of ground in his Q&A this week ahead of the final Super League round of the 2024 season.

Subscribers can watch the video of the interview below.

Among the topics covered was injury updates on Moses Mbye, Curtis Sironen and long-term casualty Konrad Hurrell.

Wellens also gave his thoughts on Hurrell with regards to the possibilities of him staying beyond this autumn when his current contract expires.

Also on the agenda was the impact of strike centre Mark Percival on his return to action and how he expects scrum half Lewis Dodd to finish his tenure at Saints.

And with so many players now back in the fold there is the question of the experience gained by the likes of Harry Robertson, Jake Burns, Noah Stephens and Jonny Vaughan have gained.

But looking ahead to the game on Friday coach Paul Wellens discussed what it would mean to finish fourth after such a troubled year.

He said: “It would be a great achievement for this playing group given the way this year we've been challenged in ways that we've never been challenged before.

“We have been a team that finished third on points difference last year but in the previous years we have always been around the top two.

“So it it's been a different experience but I love the way the group have stuck together through tough times.

“I love the way young players have come in and really put their hand up for the team.

“It represents a success in some way, but from a St Helens perspective we’d love to be fighting it out higher up the table.”

Arguably Leigh have more riding on this game – as their season will be over with a defeat, but for Saints the choice is finish fourth and a home tie against Salford or lose and travel to Warrington.

“I think both teams will be approaching this as if it is a play-off game.

“It's a very important game for both teams to give ourselves a chance in the playoffs.

“I'm sure that game is going to be a really high quality, high intensity game and that's exactly what rugby league needs, but probably what both teams need as well,” Wellens said.