“They are going to be tough to beat here” Saints boss applauds Toulouse

Drew Darbyshire
Regan Grace St Helens v Toulouse SWpix.jpg

Regan Grace in action for St Helens against Toulouse | Photo: Manuel Blondeau/SWpix

St Helens coach Kristian Woolf admitted his side were made to work hard for their 28-14 victory against Super League strugglers Toulouse.

The Saints avenged last month’s shock defeat in Toulouse with a 28-14 win, stretching their lead at the top of the Super League table.

Speaking after the game, Woolf said: “That was a really tough game, just like the first one. We had to work really hard to get anything out of it.

“We came to play and I always thought we would get on top but it’s a tough trip. There were times there where we looked a bit heavy legged but they were good enough to get through.

“There were no surprises this time and we knew what to expect. Toulouse are a very good side and they are going to be tough to beat here.”

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Toulouse coach proud of his players

Meanwhile, Toulouse coach Sylvain Houles was proud of the way his side gave the champions a run for their money.

He said: “St Helens were much better prepared for us this time and they probably didn’t take us as lightly as they did last time.

“But we expected that and we prepared well and I thought the boys really dug deep and made St Helens work very hard.

“At 14-8 we probably didn’t take our chances as well as we could have. If we had scored then it would have been a totally different game and maybe a different result.

“But this hasn’t affected our confidence in our abilities. If anything, it has proved even more that we are a good side. We are improving all of the time.”

Bottom-club Toulouse host Castleford at the Stade Ernest Wallon next Saturday. St Helens take on Hull KR at home.