If you have had two players suffering with an identical problem could it be that the coaching is a bit off in that area rather than the players? Just a thought.

Smith did very well for us in 2007 when he helped to steer us to the Grand Final, only to be dropped for a not at all fit Longy (and we lost anyway). He's had two years experience since then.

My own thoughts are that Potter will only play him if Lomax isn't fit. Eastmond will not play either way and Pryce is out for the remainder of our season now.

Personally, I hope he gets a shot at it. We can lose this game if need be,, although none of us wants to obviously! But if we do then at least he will have had a go with the Saints team of the present day and will have some further practice and training ready for the knock out stuff the week after.

.

I have to admit I find it very odd that there isn't a rule banning bringing in new players for the play offs be they from other clubs or who are already out on loan.

Though for me you'll see if Smith has what it takes to work with better players around him now he has matured since he was at Saints in the playoff series. I think Smith is a good scrum half but I have doubts if he is the long term answer and do have a sneaky feeling that we'll have a real star name at #7 come the first game in the new stadium.

There is a rule but Saints asked Salford and the RFL for an exemption to it. We aren't bringing in a new player for the playoffs; we're bringing in a player who has been on our books since being a youngster because we have no halfbacks left as we go into the playoffs.

Has he not signed a contract for Salford?
If he has, does that only come into play once this season is formally over?

He's on lean until end of Nov, our player from Dec 1st

my Missus says I should go on that and I might lose a bit of weight

Felt a little bit bad of scott moore last night!

was speaking to him after the testimonial and he just said he wasn't even picked in the squad for tonights game!

I think it's great for us that matty is in the saints line up but surely saints would be better with someone who has been playing part of there squad and know all their plays ect.....

But one thing for sure, I will be shouting for saints during the play offs now matty smith is playing!!!

St HELENS --------------- WARRINGTON WOLVES


1) Paul Wellens FULL BACK Richie Mathers (1)
(30) Jamie Foster WINGER Matt King (3)
(3) Matt Gidley CENTRE Chris Bridge (4)
(5) Francis Meli CENTRE Ryan Atkins (23)
(2) Ade Gardner WINGER Chris Riley (2)
(12) Jon Wilkin STAND OFF Lee Briers (6)
(34) Matty Smith SCRUM HALF Michael Monaghan (9)
(10) James Graham PROP Adrian Morley (icon_cool.gif
(9) Keiron Cunningham HOOKER Jon Clarke (15)
(15) Bryn Hargreaves PROP Garreth Carvell (10)
(4) Iosia Soliola SECOND ROW Louis Anderson (11)
(13) Chris Flannery SECOND ROW Ben Westwood (12)
(11) Tony Puletua LOOSE FORWARD Ben Harrison (13)

(14) James Roby SUBS Richie Myler (7)
(17) Paul Clough Paul Wood (16)
(22) Andrew Dixon Mike Cooper (1icon_cool.gif
(25) Jacob Emmitt David Solomona (26)

He appears to be steering Saints round the park at the mo.

Having a blinder so far, hopefully he'll be better for us next year with a stronger pack.

different coach different player, an hour gone and he is running the show

Sky MOTM Matty Smith, perhaps if we were on telly more often......................

Well, if we've learned anything tonight, it's that Matty Smith is better than all the St Helens and Warrington players.

Played a blinder

Still not a big fan of his but he showed what he can do when he plays in a quality team. Let's hope McRae can get the team gelling early on and we can see him play that well for us next season