Saints fans will have to wait until Monday now to see the Betfred Challenge Cup winners back in action.

Following the disappointing postponement of the game against Hull KR last Friday, we had Wednesday’s fixture against Huddersfield Giants cancelled due to ..surprise surprise Covid! An outbreak at the club and a vast number of isolations on the back of it left Saints unable to fulfil the fixtures. This has also put a stop to Castleford’s game at Leigh on Thursday.

Both finalist will have their next run out on Monday, when the champions travel to the KC Stadium for a tough game against Hull FC, and the Tigers face Huddersfield.

The Giants have been widely tipped as a likely 2022 destination for Saints half back Theo Fages. A sign he may have well played his last game for St Helens, as it was confirmed on Monday that he will miss the remainder of this season with a broken shoulder sustained in the early minutes at Wembley.

Anyone who reads my column knows I’m a massive fan of Theo, therefore would be sad to see him leave if rumours are true.

St Helens Star:

He is a true competitor, and has grown over the years to be a key influence on the team. Not the biggest of men but what a warrior, continuously putting his body on the line in both attack and defence.

This was again highlighted in the cup final, despite injuring his shoulder in the sixth minute, scoring a try as he tried to continue.

However, it was clear he was struggling, a few uncharacteristic wayward passes on the left edge as he tried to play through the pain before being withdrawn at the interval.

Fages, like the departing Lachlan Coote disappointing as it is for the Saints fans, could open the door for some of the young Saints stars like Jack Welsby and Lewis Dodd to claim their positions in the starting 13.

With the lack of reserve grade now in the game, the only way these players can kick on in their careers is to play…and regularly.

St Helens Star:

Alongside them, Saints are always on the market to strengthen their squad with big name players, and being the best club in the Betfred Super League it is the club many want to join. I’m absolutely sure we’ll be in good hands come 2022.

Back to this week’s games. With Saints- Huddersfield cancelled, all eyes will be on the 3rd-4th placed clash between Warrington and Wigan.

Wigan boss Adrian Lam said his win against Wakefield last week was their best performance of the season so far, with Jackson Hastings having a hand in everything they did. However, I’m still far convinced by this Warriors side and am tipping Warrington for the win by more than six points (evens at Betfred)

Come Monday, the Saints will likely still be in second place behind the Catalan Dragons due to an excellent win ratio percentage.

Title sponsors Betfred still have us 15/8 favourite to win the title for the third year running, with Catalans 5/2, Wire 7/2 and Wigan 9/2.

It’s looking highly likely the four mentioned club with fight it out in the play-offs come the business end of the season, although both Hull teams will be doing everything they can to make the top 4.

Biased or not, Saints destiny is in their own hands…they have the best team and if apply that in their performances until October (and keep away from Covid bad luck!) they will go on to Old Trafford glory.