Justin Holbrook: We can’t feel sorry for ourselves

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook insists his side have got to get back on the horse in this Friday’s battle against Castleford.

The Saints were stunned at Wembley last Saturday as they lost 18-4 to Warrington in the Challenge Cup final.

But Holbrook says his side – who are 16 points above second-placed Warrington – need to bounce back immediately.

He said: “As disappointing as it is to lose the final, we’ve got to move on and we can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“We get the League Leaders’ Shield which I’m proud of, obviously the Super League trophy and the Challenge Cup sit above it but to be the most consistent side is hard to do. We play 33 weeks straight rugby league and to have the players deliver week in, week out is exceptional for them and a trophy they deserve.

“We had the players in on Tuesday and everyone was still dejected and disappointed but it is up to us [coaching staff] to get them going again and get them ready for Friday.

“It will be hard for the fans as well. I understand their disappointment because we haven’t won the Challenge Cup for a long time so I know they’ll be disappointed.

“They’v got to know that the players and the staff are extremely disappointed so its just about getting on with it now. The beauty of it is that we’re back in Super League straight away and we are in a great spot to kick on.”

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