St Helens responded to last week’s dismal and humiliating loss to Toulouse by putting in a stellar performance against Catalans Dragons in a win that was worth more than just two points.
The Red Vee needed a response, especially at home to pay back their fans, and they got it as they won 34-18 with their youngsters stealing the show.
A bench full of academy graduates with less than 10 senior appearances was named, whilst Jack Campbell also debuted on the wing, highlighting just how youthful this side was.
Campbell would score two in the second-half as Saints came from 12-6 down to win 34-18 with the win moving them back into the top six after tumbling out last week.
Magic Weekend fallout, Leeds Rhinos’ latest signing, Super League’s game of the season – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
St Helens and Catalans Dragons talking points
Saints answer the call
Paul Rowley made it clear that effort was unacceptable last week and he was right. He also said that the response would be about actions and not words, and that was highlighted tonight.
His side played with heart, effort and grit and they weren’t to be denied. Their first half wasn’t incredible but they played with passion, all that the fans ask for.
However, they turned it on early in the second half with an absolute blitz as the incredible efforts of their young players invigorated the whole team and took them to a new level with this win crucially offering some hope ahead of next week’s derby against Wigan.
Saints need to take a leaf out of Wigan’s book
They’ll play them next week and if St Helens learned anything tonight then it’s that they need to take a leaf out of the Wigan Warriors’ book because their kids stood up immensely.
Matt Peet made his infamous comment about identity and Saints using loan players rather than their academy and now, when forced to use their academy, wow those players have stepped up.
You’ll see few Super League debuts better than Jack Campbell with the young full-back playing out on the wing, scoring two tries, saving a further two, and playing out of his skin for 80 minutes.
Tom Humphreys has also been thrust in of late but he played longer minutes today and was abolutely brilliant. His grubber kick for Harry Robertson’s try was incredible and then he broke through the heart of the defence to assist Jack Welsby minutes later.
Whilst they grab the headlines, others such as Alfie Sinclair, Matty Evans and Cole Marsh all stood up, with the latter coming on late for his debut. It’s also easy to forget that Jake Davies is still only 19.
Take the blessing in disguise, use this injury crisis to find and develop the stars of the future, because it seems like Saints have plenty.
More injury woes
Saints’ injury list is well-documented and they’ve had another senior player suffer a blow with Nene Macdonald a shock omission from the starting squad.
It emerged that the Papua New Guinean was injured with his replacement, under-18s full-back Jack Campbell, only learning that he was playing on the day.
An update on the nature and extent of Macdonald’s injury is to be seen but Paul Rowley will be hopeful it’s not another season-ender.
Jed gets the last laugh
In the first instance of John Cartwright coaching against his son Jed, it’s fair to say that Jed came out on top as he scored a try and also snagged the win, with Catalans’ play-off hopes surely smashed now.
As for Jed, he could well be in the top six by the end of the season judging on the strength and character of this performance.
It should also be noted just how horrid Catalans were in the second-half with this a prime example of why they’re nowhere near the play-offs. John Cartwright will have a massive job on his hands next season if this group of talented individuals is to become a team that can make the play-offs.
Video Referee farce
A new system for giving tries was introduced this year where by they would automatically be given on field and be reviewed as players prepared for a kick, with a formal review initiated if that process took more than one minute.
That process has either been forgotten or simply is not working as it took over four minutes to confirm Harry Robertson’s try early in the second half. It took over two minutes and 30 seconds before Tom Grant confirmed a formal review, at which point Liam Rush took a further 90 seconds to find ‘insufficient evidence’ to overturn, effectively wasting four minutes to land the same decision as initially offered.
Back to winning ways for @Saints1890 😇#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/X2tVaii8me
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 17, 2026
