It’s very grim times at the moment...I’m obviously talking about the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, which has completely obliterated world sport.

While safety is number one priority of course, it was heartening to see the top four clash between Saints and Castleford get the go ahead at the Jungle.

With no elite football, Grand Prix, rugby union or any other high profile sport, it was a tremendous opportunity to showcase the Betfred Super League.

A decision that clearly split opinion, but the RFL clearly stated they were following Government guidelines in allowing the match to go ahead and not being reckless.

So if it was live sport you were craving this was the number one watch.

St Helens Star:

Going back to an old skool 3pm Sunday afternoon kick off, it was a chance to show many new watchers what the Betfred Super League is all about, and this with two of the clubs usually famous for free-flowing entertaining rugby.

No doubt after the event, some Saints fans wished it hadn’t gone ahead! A morale-sapping 28-14 defeat, the second in a row..which to be honest I can’t remember the last time this happened.

With Lachlan Coote back in the side at fullback confidence was high going into the game, however the Tigers has other ideas.

In a Saints performance which never really got going, take no credit away from a very determined Cas side. They dominated the forward battle up front, this allowing the outstanding Paul McShane to run the show. I warned in last week's column that if allowed to play he would cause us problems, and just that he did.

St Helens Star:

Danny Richardson, who picked up the stadium Man of the Match against his former club had a hand in a number of tries and was deadly with the boot, kicking four goals.

Even though a well under-par performance we were still in the game for a large part. Personally I thought we looked very one dimensional, asking very few questions of the Cas defence.

St Helens Star:

Defensively, we were pulled apart down our left edge with pretty much all the points be posted there....but the biggest disappointment was the lack of discipline.

Two yellow cards for contact to the head certainly didn’t help the cause. You could say Matty Lees was unlucky as he flew out of the line to put a trademark shot on the dipping Jordan Rankin, but LMS had no excuse.

He came up with a dumb late shot after Richardson kicked downfield, which Danny made certainly the most of! Whatever the level of contact, players need to realise there are too many eyes on them these days and can’t get away with things that will inevitably cost their team.

No doubt this will be part of boss Kristian Woolf’s post-match review.

St Helens Star:

So to this week, Coronavirus ban pending..we are set to face the improving Leeds Rhinos at the Emerald Headingley. Hopefully, if this does go ahead we will get back to seeing the quality rugby we are used to from the champions.

The latest odds for Super League glory come October are 2/1 with title sponsors Betfred.

Grand Final winner:

St Helens – 2/1.

Wigan – 10/3.

Warrington – 10/3.

Castleford – 8/1..

Leeds – 8/1.

Hull FC – 14/1.

Catalans – 16/1.

Huddersfield – 25/1.

Wakefield – 100/1.

Salford – 150/1.

Hull KR – 200/1.

Toronto – 250/1.