AS MATAGI GEARS FOR DEBUT, COACH WOOLFORD DEMANDS GIANTS MAINTAIN VERY BEST FORM

with Ollie Roberts also returning to the pack for Aaron Murphy.

Fans are hoping the Giants can take advantage of the fact that Saints might still be reeling from their shock Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Catalans Dragons, but Woolford says no-one can be distracted from the job in hand.

“They are at the top of the table for a reason – they have been a really good team all year,” said Woolford of St Helens, who have named an unchanged 19-man squad.

“I thought they were ambushed by Catalans, who went with a game plan, plenty of intent and enthusiasm.

“Catalans ambushed them and really got away from them, putting them off their game and, in the end, having a comfortable win.

“We will be preparing, however, for the St Helens who have 40-odd competition points, not the St Helens who got beaten last weekend.

“It doesn’t matter how good a team you are, you can have off days and, unfortunately for St Helens, that was the case in their big game in the Cup, but we are expecting them to bounce back.”

So does Woolford see the key being the forwards, an area where Catalans were successful against Saints and stopped them in their tracks around the ruck?

“Every week your forward pack needs to do a job on the opposition, and this week is no different,” answered Woolford, who has brought in Matagi, Jake Mamo and Kruise Leeming (replacing Lawrence, Murphy and Jake Wardle).

“Catalans have a big pack with a lot of intent and are right up there with the best in Super League in my opinion.

“They are big, strong and fast and you could tell from the first five minutes they were there to