Paul Wellens is confident St Helens are running into form after making a sluggish start to the engage Super League season.
Saints' Good Friday result timely ahead of Rhinos rematch
Paul Wellens is confident St Helens are running into form after making a sluggish start to the engage Super League season.
Saints showed no mercy in dispatching arch rivals Wigan 46-10 in their Good Friday derby at Knowsley Road, a result that moved them to third place in the table.
And, ahead of their attempt to overturn last season's Grand Final result when champions and current pacesetters Leeds visit on Friday, the Great Britain full-back said St Helens' performance was timely.
"We found a bit of continuity which is something we've been lacking in the early part of the year," said Wellens, who is skippering side in the absence of both Paul Sculthorpe and Keiron Cunningham.
"It was good to get a great performance in, especially given the occasion, a Good Friday Wigan derby.
"Our form of late has not been that great. We were due a big performance and thankfully we got it."
Ominous
Leeds have shown ominous form in their last two matches; however, both teams will be hoping the busy Easter programme does not take its toll.
St Helens visit Huddersfield on Easter Monday while the Rhinos take on Hull.
Commenting on the schedule, Wellens continued: "It's something now everybody is used to. It's a demanding time but it's something we get on with.
"We're well looked after by our coaching staff so we'll recover well and turn up for training on Sunday morning ready to go."
With Saints' Good Friday dominance reflected in the 22-0 lead they held after just 26 minutes, coach Daniel Anderson eventually took the opportunity to substitute half-backs Leon Pryce and Sean Long and centre Matt Gidley in preparation for the trip to Huddersfield.
Opportunity
In Long's absence, 18-year-old half-back Kyle Eastmond made the most of his opportunity to impress by kicking a conversion and then sprinting down the pitch for a 40-metre try.
Eastmond, a product of the club's youth system, is seen as a potential successor to Long.
"Kyle has been training with the squad for the last couple of years so we all know what he's capable of," Wellens added.
"He's fantastic in training and now he's shown what he can do in a game. I am sure his confidence will grow. He's a fantastic asset to the squad.
"Giving Gids, Leon and Longy a few minutes breather at the end of the game was important given the Easter weekend and it also gave the opportunity for the likes of Kyle to have a bit more experience, especially on the big occasion.
"I am sure it will stand us in good stead further down the track."
