The Robins host the in-form Saints this weekend.
Willie Peters is under no illusion that Hull KR will take on a St Helens side that is back to its best on Friday. The Robins host the Saints in another test against one of Super League’s top six sides as part of a tough run of fixtures to end the campaign.
The Saints have hit form at the right time, winning nine of their last ten matches, giving them an outside chance of a top-two finish.
Rovers have beaten Paul Wellens’ side twice so far this season but will face them in a different guise this time. They have improved on both sides of the game. In fact, the two clubs boast the best defensive record in the competition, having both conceded just 232 points in 23 matches.
“They’ve got their DNA back in terms of how St Helens play the physical game,” Peters said. “They like to bowl teams over in the forwards, it’s how they like to play.
“They’re going to be creative in the halves now with Sailor and Welsby back, so they’re going to be a well-balanced team. Every game we play here on in are going to be top opposition, so this week will be a narrow focus.
“I’m looking forward to seeing us going back to our style and that’s a pretty similar style to St Helens. Hopefully there’s going to be a fair bit of ball play and a bit of fatigue in the game. Then at the back end of the game, hopefully you see Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May and people like that step up.”
Peters continued: “It will be like a finals sort of atmosphere. And in terms of game speed, I’m sure it’s going to be an up-tempo game. We’ve looked at ways that we believe we can break them down, but it certainly will start with our defence.”
The big question surrounding Saints right now is their spine. Sailor has been in tremendous form but was moved back to the halves last week to facilitate the return of Welsby, with the former then subbed midway through the second half in what was a disjointed attacking performance for the large part.
“I think you get caught up a lot in worrying too much around opposition. We certainly plan for what we think is plan A and B. There’s possibilities in what they’ll do. But I think if you look too far into it, then you forget about what you want to do.
“So we’ve got a plan around how we want to play. That won’t change whether Sailor is at six or whoever is on the wing or whether Welsby or Lomax comes off the bench, it won’t change at all.”