St Helens vs Toulouse Prediction: Scully backs Saints to topple Toulouse

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This weekend, the whole of the Betfred Super League came to Merseyside as Magic Weekend was hosted at the fabulous Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The fans, many who experienced Everton’s new home in last years Ashes Series, voted with their feet as the weekend broke all previous records with circa 83,000 fans in attendance over the six fixtures across Saturday and Sunday.

There were wins for Toulouse (who demolished Catalan in Castres 60-18), York, Hull KR, Leigh, Wakefield and Leeds, before Wigan and St Helens brought the weekend to a close with a fiery derby!

The game certainly didn’t disappoint in terms of physicality and aggression!

The first points on the board came on the 12th minute via the boot of Jackson Hastings, following an off the ball tackle of the Saints halfback.

Saints dominated possession and field position in the opening 20mins, but as we are getting used to seeing this season- they can’t turn this into tries.

When the first try came it was the Warriors who took the lead after 22mins. But, this was after yet another Saints error with the ball.

A Harry Robertson knock-on following a hospital pass from Tristan Sailor. This was collected by Jake Wardle who tipped on to Jai Field. A half break and quick play the ball, Wigan shifter the ball out to their right edge who run rings round the Saints defence for Adam Keighran to dive in at the corner.

This try really highlighted the difference in pace and strike in the two sides.

However, five minutes later, Saints finally converted pressure into points as Jake Davies hit an inside ball from Hastings and touched down. Sailor converted, 8-6 Saints at half time.

It took 12 minutes of the second half for the first points, and it was again Saints left edge that were dismantled. A Zack Eckersley break, inside to the supporting Field and Wigan resumed the lead.

Saints, like the first half had numerous scoring chances but didn’t have the composure or execution to turn into points. To be honest at times looked completely lost of ideas and shape.

It was the Warriors who scored next. A simple scrum move, yet again found Nene McDonald wanting on defence as Jack Farrimond cut through to put Eckersley over.

To be fair to the Saints they never gave in, and it was Jack Welsby who got the final try of the game.

Fitting I suppose the way Saints had attacked all game, that the try came off a poor Hastings pass that ricocheted off the shoulder of Shane Wright into the arms of Welsby. Conversion successful, 16-14 to Wigan with four minutes to play.

St Helens vs Toulouse Odds

With the hooter imminent, the final play belonged to Harry Robertson. Harry had nowhere to go down the right touchline, so slid a grubber kick through as the siren sounded, only to be tackled without the ball by Olly Partington. A penalty was awarded, and Saints were given a lifeline to share the spoils if Jackson Hastings could slot the kick over.

Unfortunately the pressure clearly told and he sliced it right. Wigan took the win, and two Betfred Super League points.

It was certainly an exciting finish to a hugely successful weekend. Both teams gave it everything and there would certainly be some sore bodies on Monday.

However, for Paul Rowley it’s another defeat to a top six club, and despite only a two point margin at full time, for me Saints look way off a team ready to compete for silverware.

Attack is a massive issue. The whole Welsby, Sailor, Hastings and Shorrocks spine just doesn’t work. There looks a distinct lack of organisation and to be brutal, threat.

We look laboured with the ball, flat and slow. Too much goes through Joe Shorrocks who is not a natural ball player. Shane Wright and Nene McDonald are not good enough.

Harry Robertson could be a genuine world class player, but when was the last time something was created for him? He literally gets the ball and has to do everything for himself. We can’t win games or competitions with no attack.

This week Saints host Toulouse, a team who do love to throw the ball about. The French side with come to the BrewDog Stadium confident too after their own Magic demolition of the Dragons on Saturday.

This is a must win game for the home side with an inform Leigh now only two points behind Saints after their convincing win over Warrington. They will be desperate to get inside the top six play-off places.

I’ll go for a Saints win by 10pts.