I’M aware my column last week might have ruffled a few feathers when I spoke about some of the current Saints playing staff.

I didn’t do it to be controversial, I said it because watching the games week in, week out it’s something I believe is true.

We’ve just had the double done by Salford for the first time in 44 years and not many fans are disagreeing with me…if any!

I was asked to do this column for an honest opinion, and I’m sticking to it. I wouldn’t name individuals, I don’t need to, players and fans alone know who is performing at a standard required for this great club.

I know I’ve pinpointed Saints, because it’s a club I care about.. .and a very good friend is at the helm, and will always unfortunately like any coach take the wrath of a team that is underperforming.

However, I think this is throughout the Betfred Super League, too many teams not dishing out the quality that this brilliant sport’s elite competition deserves.

The old enemy Wigan now stand top of the ladder by two points, with a game in hand, and Saints sitting joint second with Hull KR, ahead of Friday's fixture against the 10th placed Castleford Tigers.

This has got to be a ruthless performance by the Saints, and I don’t just mean the scoreline. I mean ruthless with the ball, in the quality that we shape up and execute. Ruthless in defence, especially on the edges where frankly some of the recent performances have been dreadful.

Let’s get back to that honest, quick, aggressive but smart line speed and make the Tigers not want the ball.

The attack needs much more threat from the half backs, who make defensive lines accountable. But again let’s get back to what Saints have always done best…play fast in numbers, bodies in motion and pass the ball when on.

We have one of the best running hookers in the game, let’s give him something to play on the back of.

I’m hoping to see all of the above and a convincing 30-point victory over the visiting Tigers come Friday evening.

Last week saw all the Betfred clubs take a week off as international weekend saw England travel to Toulouse to face France.

As expected, it was a one-sided game with a 40-8 win for the travelling England.

Head coach Shaun Wane didn’t make the trip after undergoing ankle surgery, with assistant coach Andy Last taking the reins in France.

I can imagine Waney still stamping about his house after watching his team go 8-0 down after 19 minutes. He did get on the blower though to have his say after the poor start.

It was Saints star Jack Welsby that got England back in the game two minutes later, scoring the first of a brace of tries.

Ash Handley scored a quickfire double, before fellow winger Tom Johnstone scored England's fourth try in ten minutes.

The French defence looked completely disinterested in the second half and England added more misery.

Stand-in boss Lasty did admit there needs to be a huge improvement in performance before the Autumn International Series against Samoa. Story of our game in the UK at the moment….