A SEASON of two halves is probably the best way to describe the 2016 vintage down the road at St Helens.

They have spent most of the year locked in a battle with Catalans Dragons for the fourth and final place in the semi finals, one they eventually won thanks to their ruthless recent form.

After an inconsistent start which led to head coach Keiron Cunningham coming under increasing pressure, Saints arrive at The Halliwell Jones Stadium with 11 wins in their past 12 games.

That run, broken only by a 25-0 defeat at Wigan last month, saw them tear past the Dragons and into the post-season shake-up.

Then, of course, there is “the hoodoo”.

Saints have an imperious record of 18 wins from 19 visits to The Halliwell Jones Stadium since The Wire relocated from Wilderspool in 2004.

Central to their hopes of continuing that run will, as always, be James Roby. The England international hooker is showing signs of his best form again this year.

He comes back into Cunningham’s squad alongside Adam Swift and Greg Richards.

Much of the reason Roby has been so influential is the work of props Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor, while Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook has enjoyed a stellar year behind them in the back rown.

Saints squad: Jonny Lomax, Jordan Turner, Mark Percival, Adam Swift, Luke Walsh, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Kyle Amor, Atelea Vea, Jon Wilkin, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Greg Richards, Luke Thompson, Dominique Peyroux, Theo Fages, Joe Greenwood, Jack Owens, Shannon McDonnell, Morgan Knowles.