Ah Van hattrick against Saints. Man of steel!

so hes not taken long to get back to real rugby then?

Certainly not out of place today by all accounts.

He's a tremendous athlete and a very talented lad. His move to Rugby Union left a bitter taste in some people's mouths but he's back playing RL now & if he fulfills his potential we'll have an awesome player.

Time to wrap some players up in cotton wool? Sam? Goulding?

Sam in

10-46

50 up Carmont in

Thought we could have been in for a long afternoon early doors but we ground them down and then played some great rugby. Tomkins was head and shoulders the best player on the field.

Smith showed some promising touches and good defence when he came on st hooker. First time since Tommy's injury the back line gelled. Probably should have put 60 on them after a few bombed chances but all in all a very professional display.

Sam's hattrick try was special.

Just heading back. We started in very shaky fashion but real grew as the game went on and it was especially pleasing to see the right hand side growing in confidence as the game went on.

I thought Matty Smith turned it when he came on and had a huge game overall from dummy half. He was really busy and looks a good signing although it's early days.

Sam Tomkins was MOM by streets overall. They tried to rough him up (mainly legally to be fair) but he answered them in the best possible fashion by ripping them apart. Him and Finch are exceptional!

How did lockers look?

Lockers went well, much more assured played mainly as a traditional 13 drifting in to 6, sharing the role with Sam.

Struggled early but got better and better as it went on. It was much like the team as a whole really.

His link up with Hansen, Goulding and Thornley in the 2nd half was much improved and they should all take some confidence in to next week.

Just on the way back now and was a good showing. Smith looked good he came on an it was a good team performance.

Sam's hat trick try was brilliant, if he carries on he won't be far off MOS.

Bring on the Whinos!

As others have said, shaky first quarter, understandable with all the changes, but once we got our act together, we played really well, against a Wakey team that were always willing to work but lacked any sort of cutting edge.

Smith came on for Logan after about half an hour, and fitted in superbly given he's had virtually no time to train with the lads. Thornley was impressive too, though I still see him as more of a centre, hopefully George's replacement long-term.

Sam was well up for it, easily MoM, and Hock & Hansen showed how much we've missed them. Lockers looked a lot more comfortable at #6 now, too.

It was very noticeable that we were running against Tim Smith a lot, especially early on...clearly a tactic the coaching staff had identified!

Nice easy run out, eventually, and with hopefully MM, Preccy and Josh to come back next week, feeling a lot better about the Leeds game!