Hull KR vs St Helens Prediction: Scully backing Saints for six in a row

Super League Double Delight

Pre-match single on First Tryscorer market in selected games in 2026 Super League season. Paid in cash upon market settlement. 80 mins only. T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Unfortunately like half of the Saints squad, I was out of action last week and unable to do the column!

I had surgery on a long standing back issue, that’s pretty much gave me constant sciatic nerve pain since retiring in 2008. Now completely free of all that and the best I’ve felt in 20 years - now I’m back in contention for a jersey!

In these last two weeks it’s been good to see Saints progress to the quarter-finals of the Betfred Challenge Cup with a dominant win at Castleford. Then, Friday saw a vital two Betfred Super League points won down in the south west of France against Toulouse Olympique.

Straight from the kick-off, Saints looked in the mood to put on a show.

With Jackson Hastings and the ever-elusive Tristan Sailor running the show, it soon looked like being a rout.

The returning Agnatius Paasi opened up the scoring after three minutes, taking a Hastings short ball at the line and having far too much power for the French defence.

I love when a half-back is willing to play right in the defensive line, and also mix up hitting the short lead runners and sweeping run out back. Hastings has great ability to do this, and when he does it makes defensive lines accountable, and often creates opportunity.

The next Saints score was just that. Jacko digging into the line, picking a tunnel ball to Dion Cross, who equally showed great quick hands to his wingman.

Lewis Murphy found open space in from of him, and backed his size and strength to run over Olly Ashall-Bott. Saints were up 10-0 after 12 minutes.

On 19 minutes, it was pretty much ‘rinse and repeat’. This time Sailor receiving the ball out back, then using his pace and a subtle show and go he broke free, before tipping on to Murphy for his second.

Whether you’re a fan of Tristan in the halves or not, one thing you can’t argue - his X-factor and competitiveness. This showed yet again on Saints fourth try, as again he was the only one to compete for a Hasting bomb, and somehow getting a sublime offload to David Klemmer to fall over the line.

It was 22-0 after 23 minutes, and the travelling Saints faithful enjoying every bit of it.

A penalty goal, followed by some smart short side play from stand in hooker Jake Wingfield, putting Dion Cross over, meant the visitors go into the sheds 28-0 up.

That should have meant game over.

Unfortunately, it was a completely different second 40.

Yes, the team is completely depleted with injuries, and players playing out of position and playing more minutes than usual. But, I don’t think these were factors, especially after such a dominating first half. Maybe a touch of complacency and mental switch off, allowing Toulouse a lifeline in the game.

The home side were first to score after the restart. What should have been a simple three versus three scrum defensive drill, Saints were picked apart and Laguerre crossed in the corner.

Next, it’s was Saints left edge showing defensive frailties as Toulouse crossed for their second in six minutes.

One thing you can’t be defending your tryline is passive. This is exactly what we did on 72 minutes, basically sat on our heels against a runner the size of Tyler Dupree. There was only one winner, and the home side were now 28-16 down with eight minutes to play.

Only a Hastings penalty followed, putting Saints three scores out of reach and going on to win the game 30-16.

Listen, it was job done and two Betfred Super League points back to England, but I’m sure that second half soured the win for Paul Rowley.

If we are to contend for silverware against the better sides in the competition, then the players need to be more ruthless, and play for the full 80 minutes.

This week is a special week for the sport. Super League celebrates its 30th birthday since the inception of the full-time, summer era!

Wow! 30 years - how time has flown. Paris Saint-Germain v Sheffield Eagles kicked off the opening round at the Charlety Stadium in the French capital.

This week sees two foundation fixtures from that opening round - Castleford v Bradford, and Leeds v Warrington, which yours truly played in!

We beat Leeds that evening with a great performance. Unfortunately, it didn’t go on to be our year!

It was a very exciting time for both players and fans of the sport, and this weekend sees some big fixtures in the current Betfred Super League era.

This Friday sees the Saints travel to East Hull to face World Club Champions and 2025 treble winners Hull KR. The Hull KR vs St Helens Odds are currently as follows - Hull KR 4/9, the draw 14/1 and Saints are 21/10.

This would usually be one of the toughest games of the season to take the points, and no doubt still will be. However, unbelievably after losing to York in the opening round, and getting embarrassed by Leeds in Las Vegas, the Robins have only won one of their opening four rounds, and currently sit 11th in the table.

Like I said though, Saints are a team players raise their game for, and I expect a far better show from Willie Peters’ men this week. However, I'm going bold and backing Saints to win their sixth game on the spin!