St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:01 pm  

The big event of round one is not the opening game. Wigan will safely dispose of Widnes.

The big event is Friday night's game between St Helens and Catalans. It pits the 2014 champions against the rejuvenated would be champions, with the latter having acquired an exceptional talent in Todd Carney.

Nobody should assume that Catalans will be in their best possible form, given the fact that Carney has not had any professional games in which to gel with his team. However the match offers the possibility of some exciting attacking play, which will raise the standards we will come to expect of Super League in the Carney Era.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:04 pm  

Don't be so sure that 'Wigan will safely dispose of Widnes'.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:14 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

However the match offers the possibility of some exciting attacking play

Not if it's -1 with swirling snow which is often the case in the opening couple of rounds.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:24 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

The big event of round one is not the opening game. Wigan will safely dispose of Widnes.

The big event is Friday night's game between St Helens and Catalans. It pits the 2014 champions against the rejuvenated would be champions, with the latter having acquired an exceptional talent in Todd Carney.

Nobody should assume that Catalans will be in their best possible form, given the fact that Carney has not had any professional games in which to gel with his team. However the match offers the possibility of some exciting attacking play, which will raise the standards we will come to expect of Super League in the Carney Era.

Had it been in France I would agree. Sadly the Dragons away form has generally been atrocious, especially early on in the season. They struggled last year and they've not really added anyone of note this season to change that.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 12:51 pm  

Do Catalans not have their own forum?

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:12 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

The big event of round one is not the opening game. Wigan will safely dispose of Widnes.

The big event is Friday night's game between St Helens and Catalans. It pits the 2014 champions against the rejuvenated would be champions, with the latter having acquired an exceptional talent in Todd Carney.

Nobody should assume that Catalans will be in their best possible form, given the fact that Carney has not had any professional games in which to gel with his team. However the match offers the possibility of some exciting attacking play, which will raise the standards we will come to expect of Super League in the Carney Era.

As a neutral there are plenty of interesting picks this weekend.

Huddersfield v Hull FC (no idea)
Hull KR v Leeds (no idea)
Wakey v Cas (Probably most passionate tie of the round)

Not sure where Catalans come in as would be champions unless that tag applies to all but Saints this year.

It will be an interesting game for sure. But could be a onesided affair if Catalan have their usual slow start to the year and their usual away form.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:19 pm  

Best match of the first round? Until it actually happens, I would ask to see your crystal ball. It could be a complete bore fest for all we know

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:31 pm  

King Street Cat wrote:

Not if it's -1 with swirling snow which is often the case in the opening couple of rounds.

I agree that if it's snowing, then the game could be a fizzer. It might have to be called off!

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 1:49 pm  

I can actually see Saints blowing Catalans away in this. Building up to the big WCC game and on a high still after a shock GF win and with genuine half backs in place.

So no, the answer is probably not.

Re: St Helens vs Catalans: best match of the first round. : Tue Feb 03, 2015 2:41 pm  

I'm looking forward to seeing how Catalans go in this geam, unlike last season most of their players have had a full off season so hopefully they'll have a better run with injuries. However, I too think Saints will have too much for them, but at this point it's very difficult to predict how the games will go.