PAUL ROWLEY hailed the “courageous” performance of players young and old after St Helens’ 34-18 victory over Catalans Dragons.
Saints defied an extensive injury list to get the win, just five days after a humiliating defeat to Toulouse Olympique.
“It was a courageous performance right from the start of the game,” said Rowley.
“It was a team effort but it was the two extremes – you had the experienced players and then the really young players.
“We had eight players out there who were in the reserves at the beginning of the year, but the likes of Jack Welsby and Curtis Sironen and Jed Cartwright were really, really good. They were protective of the young lads and the young lads responded with energy and enthusiasm.
“I should go through the whole team because it was a team performance.
“It’s just one game and just two points, but sometimes it feels a little bit more than that. The crowd responded to the effort and the courage and I’m very proud and really delighted for the players and the staff who have worked extremely hard.”
Speaking about two-try debutant and man of the match Jack Campbell, Rowley said: “When you ring these young lads, you think they’re going to be nervous and stuck for words but I was probably more nervous speaking to him than he was receiving the phone call.
“Sometimes, it’s better not to think about it and a last-minute phone call sometimes works a little bit better for them. He was fantastic and so brave.”