Sculthorpe backs Saints win by 20+ against struggling Leeds

Owen McMahon

Mar 2

The big man Alex Walmsley rightly grabbed the headlines as St Helens got back to domestic business with a solid win at Castleford in their first Betfred Super League game of 2023.

Many thought we'd see a weakened side after the team's exploits Down Under - beating the Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge before a gruelling 52-hour journey back to the UK.

However, knowing the gaffer Wello as I do, his focus was always going to be to hit the ground running with a good win and he picked his team accordingly.

Big Al certainly led from the front with his barnstorming runs, which he converted into a couple of second-half tries, but also his solid defence alongside teammates Matty Lees, and Sione Mata'utia, who for me has been our best player so far this year.

Walmsley was unfortunate to miss out on the Rugby League World Cup last October with a foot injury that required surgery, but England's loss is absolutely Saints' gain this season. It has clearly freshened both his body and mind, and his first few performances this season are the result of that.

It was a very professional performance from the champions. It can be a big mental test going from the biggest game in club football on the other side of the world and the elation of beating the NRL Premiers to bus'ing it to Castleford on a Sunday afternoon. I think this 80 minutes showed the attitude of this current group and why they continue to lead from the front in the Betfred Super League.

Betfred Super League Betting Odds

A special mention to Saints' exciting new signing Tee Ritson, who recorded his first Super League try on Sunday against the Tigers.

Ritson, who is on a season-long loan from Barrow Raiders, certainly has pace to burn and if he gets a gap there are very few in the league, if any, who would catch him.

Speaking to Wellens and some of his coaching staff, they've been very impressed with his work ethic and efforts to improve all the other facets of his game too, which is great to hear.

Elsewhere in the Betfred Super League, the much-talked-about Warrington Wolves are already emerging as potentially our biggest rivals this term after a couple of good wins against both Leeds and Huddersfield.

The Wire recorded a 26-16 away win at the much-fancied Giants, and following their prior demolition of Leeds Rhinos, Darryl Powell's team have certainly started the season with confidence.

Saints return to the Totally Wicked Stadium for the first time as world champions on Friday as Leeds Rhinos, who are desperate to kickstart their season after yet another defeat last week at home to Hull FC, come to town.

Bet on St Helens v Leeds Rhinos with Betfred here

This is a re-run of last season's Grand Final where Saints ran out convincing 24-12 winners. The Rhinos' poor start to the year will be of no concern to Wellens and his team, as all focus will be about what they can control - and if they put on another clinical display the result will take care of itself.

The Rhinos, already without several first-choice players including Harry Newman, Mikolaj Oledzki and James Bentley, have now also lost exciting, young back-rower Morgan Gannon who failed a HIA in the loss to Hull.

I'm backing a Saints win by more than 20 points (11/10 at Betfred) - and remember, I'm on a bit of a roll after my last two predictions!