ROYCE Simmons is expecting his side to be fully refreshed following their four-day break and ready to take on Hull KR this Sunday.
The Robins currently lie in ninth in Super League and need every point as they chase the playoffs – and that will mean nothing less than a tough match at a place Saints haven’t won in the league at since 2007.
“They are a tough side to face,” Simmons said. “They have two real good back rowers who run good lines in Ben Galea and Clint Newton and their half backs have been playing together for a couple of weeks now after injury.
“They also have two big quick centres and a reasonably big pack of forwards too. They are a good all round side.
“I know we beat them comfortably in our last game but the game before that was touch and go for 60 minutes. And we have to travel to their ground this Sunday which is always a hard place to go.
“The lads have had four days off and will be back today [Wednesday] all refreshed from their first good long break of the season. Most have spent time with their families and kids and got away
“They needed the break both physically and mentally and would have got it win or lose after the Challenge Cup Semi Final.”
Simmons says he won’t know the status of the walking wounded until later in the week but of the likely returnees Chris Flannery looks set to shake off the dead leg which kept him out of the win over Huddersfield.
Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson missed that match with dead legs, whilst Kyle Eastmond had a groin injury.
“We will step up training during the week and if there are no setbacks then those players would join us in the side. If we have any doubts though I won’t be using them.
“I know people are saying third place is secured but we want to continue winning and take that bit of momentum into the playoffs. There can’t be any slackening off. I don’t intend to lose another game!
“We need to improve a couple of per cent each week and we are getting better. Leon [Pryce] is getting fitter every game. Since he’s come back we have changed a few things in our halves – Leon is playing on one side and Jonny on the other.
“Long term it will suit Jonny there but they both need to get used to which centre or back rower they are now playing with. They are little changes that people don’t see.
“Our short kicking game has got better and our defence is improving too. But we know we have a long way to go.”
