Fri 6th Oct: SL S/F: Catalans Dragons v St Helens KO 20:00 (UK time) (Sky)

[John Drake]

Discuss Catalans Dragons v St Helens here.

[FearTheVee]

Two strong and healthy squads, two top sides.

I’d say it’s a coin toss.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

I really do not want Catalans winning but this St Helens side fails to convert dominance into points on the board and this will come back to bite them in the same way they lost the semi-final to Leigh and let Wire get up off the canvas last week before squeezing home.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I think the better rested home teams will win these, simply for those reasons, in 2 very evenly matched games. Oh, and the likely good weather will work in favour of those sides.

[Chris22]

Catalans away in a play off semi final is as tough as it gets. They've been brilliant all year and it's tough to back against them.

But we've won something like 15 of the last 17 league matches, which is incredible form. We have rarely been convincing but are very hard to beat.

I think we might struggle to break down Catalans organised defence, so will tip Catalans by 4.

[Futtocks]

Saints are a champion side - it's in their DNA by now and the occasion will not be intimidating to them at all.

Catalans packed with talent, but if a 50/50 decision or two goes against them, the home crowd's attitude can get a bit whingey and it doesn't always help the players.

[Johnny Ringo]

I'm going to say Catalan because I've been wrong almost every week lately and with luck I'll be wrong again.

But in all honesty it could be one game too many for Saints and you would think they may need to score at least 4 trys away at Catalan if they are to win it. I can't see Catalan having rested and at home scoring less than 3 trys. 

Edited October 5, 2023 by Johnny Ringo
Typo

[Josef K]

Catalans by ten. It’s been an enjoyable four years but everything has to come to an end. 

[GeordieSaint]

I think age has caught up with the Saints squad. We haven’t got the strike of the last few years. So it’s been amazing run but I think Catalan by 8-10pts tonight sadly.

[ELBOWSEYE]

9 hours ago, Josef K said:

Catalans by ten. It’s been an enjoyable four years but everything has to come to an end. 

Sounds like the old saying, "a pessimist is never disappointed".

[Archie Gordon]

I'm really excited by this one. Catalan puts on a great semi-final build-up and atmosphere and I really hope they win. Mourgue off the bench for the winning try.

[EagleEyePie]

I actually think Catalans are a more imposing team and harder to beat away from home this year. At home they are very beatable. They've lost to Warrington twice, Huddersfield and were battered by Wigan in the south of France. Saints are on a 10 game winning streak that won't end because they can grind out results better than any other team in the competition but also have plenty of points in them if you give them an opportunity.

Saints by 14.

[Wollo Wollo Wayoo]

Catalans always have a dumb game in their repertoire.  Hope they don't bring it out tonight.

Would like to see Tom Johnstone scoring a few specials.  

[DG70]

Saints have the pedigree and are not phased by the big occasion, they have definitely got what it takes to win, Saints by 12.

[Andrewj]

I am going full Viva la France for this one. Hoping for a convincing Cats victory

[Monkeymagic22]

Saints weren’t great last week, and against a rested and fired up Cats, it’s going to be very hard. Catalans by a few for me.

[WN83]

Saints are the better team and know how to win these games. They’ve not always shown their best this season but I think they will tonight and it will be enough to get them home. 
 

Saints by 6

[overtheborder]

Noticed this one's on Sky Showcase as well as Sky Sports - just a heads up for anyone who doesn't pay for the Sky Sports subscription (it might be available on the likes of Now TV as well but I'm not that well up on all these streaming services!).

[DavidM]

Catalans will win quite comfortably 

[Gomersall]

2 hours ago, overtheborder said:

Noticed this one's on Sky Showcase as well as Sky Sports - just a heads up for anyone who doesn't pay for the Sky Sports subscription (it might be available on the likes of Now TV as well but I'm not that well up on all these streaming services!).

Allegedly live and free on l’equipe sports channel albeit with a French commentator.

https://www.lequipe.fr/programme-tv/agenda

[17 stone giant]

8 minutes ago, Gomersall said:

Allegedly live and free on l’equipe sports channel albeit with a French commentator.

https://www.lequipe.fr/programme-tv/agenda

It's bad luck that France rugby union are playing tonight. That's bound to take a few casual viewers away who might otherwise have watched Catalans.

[17 stone giant]

I hadn't realised that St Helens have won the last four Grand Finals. With that in mind, I'm hoping for a Catalans win.

[fieldofclothofgold]

I wouldn't like to predict ,but I'm really looking forward to this one 

[Gerrumonside ref]

Catalans are favourites here.

But I hope Saints can do it.

[Archie Gordon]

Every ticket sold.