Wellens: we know what we're up against

St Helens travel to Perpignan this week to face Catalans Dragons on Friday Night in the Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals.

The Champions are in unfamiliar territory after finishing outside the top two for the first time during their four-year title reign. That means for their first time in four years, their route to Old Trafford involves an away Semi-Final.

Catalans Dragons - who beat Saints to second place after a thrilling final few weeks of the regular season - will be hoping to dethrone the reigning Champions in front of a passionate, partisan crowd at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

But Saints head coach Paul Wellens insists his side are ready for the challenge ahead as they prepare to slay the Dragons in the South of France.

"It's going to be an intense atmosphere as it always is when you travel to the South of France. It's a challenging environment to be in but we have been challenged all this year. It's only fitting that this club do it the difficult way to end the year, but we see that as a positive and as a challenge we want to overcome.

Two legends, one goal ? But only one can bow out at Old Trafford ?

It's @SamTomkins1 (@DragonsOfficiel) against James Roby (@Saints1890) for the final time with a place in the #GrandFinal on the line, live on @SkySportsRL Friday ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/o0RXq2tLKD
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 4, 2023

"We're going into an atmosphere where the home crowd Is against you. We've become accustomed to it now and over the years, we've become the team that everyone wants to beat. at the same time, it comes down to two teams and who can perform better in 80 minutes. We have two sides who are incredibly talented and will do all they can to win."

St Helens are yet to defeat Catalans under Paul Wellens, with the Dragons winning both home and away against the Champions this season. Because of that, Wellens is under no illusions of the threat that the French side possess.

"The first game against Catalans we started well but then our performance dipped with us then inviting them on to us, and of course that's a recipe for disaster and you get punished. In the second game, I thought we were narrowly beaten, and I'd say it's the most intense game we've had this year. 

"That's shown me that this is a battle of two teams who can play at a high level and intensity for the whole game. We know what we're up against.

Two greats collide for one final shot at #GrandFinal glory ?@DragonsOfficiel ? @Saints1890, 2023 @Betfred #SuperLeague Play-Off semi-final ?

Friday, live on @SkySportsRL Arena ? pic.twitter.com/8LTaFtoqgA
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 3, 2023

"I think all the successful teams over the years have all had strong forward lines and that's what Catalans do have but I also think we have that to, leading to a key battle up front. there's going to be battles all over the pitch and it's one we must prepare well for.

"We've played against each other many times over recent years and we must recognise the different individual threats that they oppose as a team. I don't think either team is going to go into a game of this size at the end of the season and change their identity too much, so we know what to expect. It's about taking key opportunities when we get them, but also riding out pressure and defending well."

Despite the unfamiliar position St Helens find themselves in this year, they have ample experience of winning big games. And, irrespective of their dominance over the last four years, it hasn't dampened their appetite for success.

"Of course our ambition to win everything is still there. It's something we've worked so hard for and it's something that we don't want to be taken from us. We've put so much work into achieving success over recent years and it's a feeling we enjoy and naturally want to have again year on year. 

"However, year on year it gets more difficult with the teams around us getting stronger and getting more desperate to stop us."

Will the Dragons dethrone the Champions on Friday Night, or can the Saints edge one step closer to further Super League immortality?