Absolutely. I’ve waited a life time to win an Ashes or beat the Aussies to a World Cup.

Snap, and seeing as we only seem to beat them at RU these days a RLWC win would be most welcome.

Toulouse may have brought us back down to earth. But I’m fully accepting of why we went so high; 3 seasons of an abysmal mess all round the club to a colossal change on and off the pitch in more ways than one was always going to get the fans on a pedestal much higher than we should be.

Do I in reality think we’ll win a trophy? Hand on heart no. But I do believe it’s between us and Catalans for a final spot in both the GF and CC. I think it’ll take an almighty performance to knock Saints off their [grits teeth] fully deserved perch. They’ve set the standard phenomenally high and keep taking it up a notch. It’s up to us to either pull them back or own a higher perch.

Catalans this week will be a tough test. I can’t see us coming home with the win, I just think they’ve a bit more than us even with their injury/suspension list but it’s a huge bonus if so.

I read yesterday that they expect to have Tomkins, McIlorum and Dudson (last two are defo back) back and possibly Whare as well. I think that only leaves them short of Napa and Bousquet (it didn’t mention Yaha and if he’s ok after pulling out in last weeks warm up).

Happy to get the test against a strong Catalans side anyway. I think we need to see where we’re at.

We caught the "aeroport" bus outside the airport arrivals terminal, every twenty minutes - €8 each. We caught it back from the centre to the airport - very good and punctual.

Our hotel was located about twenty minutes walk away from the city centre Odalys, cheap and very clean. Nice rooms. Saw an Ibis closer in that probably would have suited us better.

At night for those that like a takeaway there's a number of pizza, kebab shops in a row that are open late, plus lots of McDonald's. Quite a lot of nice restaurants knocking about but we didn't go in.

Best pub I thought was Melting Pot, great atmosphere pre and post match. Guinness - €6.90 a pint.

But then you've got Saints fans seeing their winning the double and England winning the World Cup and that's a dreadful thought.

Merseysiders don't support England.

We stayed at the Ibis Gare opposite the railway . Good and reasonable price . The Ibis Styles Gare is right next door . Thirsty Monk and Pub O'clock are good pubs with an excellent choice of beers. Dave Foti (CST) does city centre to stadium transfers. Toulouse was a great weekend with plenty pubs and resteraunts.

EW

Yeah we went in Pub O'clock for one. We also caught the Dave Foti coach €10 return (stadium to centre), very good value.

Really enjoyed it, good to meet with so many people we haven't seen for a while. Best value bar was the Seven Sisters who were doing Peroni for 4 Euros a pint, although the Wigan fans has supped them dry by Sunday!!

Give Seven Sisters a go tonight then Brian . Just heading to the airport now .

EW

I have just finished listening to the Out of Your League Podcast episode with Morgan Knowles and had to laugh a few times at the ignorance of John Wilkin in his effusive praise of Saints. Before I start, I must say that Knowles seems an outstanding individual and I am glad we will have him in the England side against the Aussies and Kiwis in the World Cup.

However, according to Wilkin, Saints do not have a single weakness, the only thing that can stop them is injuries or poor future recruitment decisions. Oh, and the best one he came out with was that Morgan Knowles has already surpassed Sean O'Loughlin .

Whilst Saints again are favourites to win the GF, I think all the other sides in the league have to remember they have won the last two Grand Finals via a fluke last minute try and scraped a 2pt win in a fiercely contested game. What I will give them praise for is their consistency, no other side can match that week to week IMO. But, in a one off game they are not as far ahead as some people would have you believe.