SAINTS’ last visit to Catalan didn’t quite go according to plan.
With several players returning from injury, sweltering temperatures and the loss of key personel during the game itself, the scoreline blew out.
Saints went on to take the title after showing remarkable resolve whilst down on numbers – but the defeat was one of the downpoints of a wonderful season.
Not that it features in Head Coach Keiron Cunningham’s thoughts this week…
“We can’t change what happened last year, we have to look forward,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the players and told them the team that has beaten us the most this season is ourselves.
“If you don’t prepare well regardless of who you play then you won’t do well.
“Catalan are playing some good football – especially at home – but they have deficiencies like any other team.
“If we exploit them then I expect us to do well out there. Any team that has Todd Carney in it will be dangerous.”
Saints head into the match on the back of two wins over Widnes and Wakefield – and with the half back combination of Travis Burns and Luke Walsh beginning to bear fruit.
Shannon McDonnell also made a successful return to the club.
Keiron continued: “I thought we looked a little shy at the beginning of the Wakefield game and there were times when we were just doing enough. The response after half time was outstanding and we want to continue it.
“People make a lot of the travel to Catalan but it is what you make it. We will go over Thursday which means we can kick back and watch the game and train on Friday. We are going at the right time of the year and we want to do well. I’m hoping the boys take things on board from what we have learnt this year.”
Saints head into the clash with a few bumps and bruises but James Roby will return to the line-up.
He will come into the 17 for Dougie Charnock who played really well last Friday.
“Young Dougie did a great job,” Keiron added. “He still needs a lot of work and is developing but he has shown to me that he will be a good back up for Robes.
“I have done a lot of work with him over the last two years and he has a ‘9′ skillset. He can handle himself in the middle, has a great kicking game and distribution. It is down to me as a coach to bring him on as a player.”
