PAUL Sculthorpe has offered a damning assessment of Warrington Wolves’ predicament ahead of their clash with St Helens tomorrow.

The former Great Britain forward, who started his professional career with The Wire before enjoying a glittering spell with Saints, says he cannot see the visitors losing the clash between his former sides at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The fortunes of the two sides could not be more contrasting – Saints lead the Super League table and look on course for a fourth consecutive title while Wire languish in eighth after a difficult start to life under Daryl Powell.

Writing in his weekly column for our sister title the St Helens Star, Sculthorpe says too many of the players at Powell’s disposal are “overrated and underperforming.”

He also took aim at the Warrington pack – heavily criticised this season – and said he doesn’t think they will be able to handle their counterparts.

“I would usually say beware the wounded Wolves going into this game on the back of last week’s performances…but how much is there to fear?” he wrote.

“It’s been a pretty miserable season so far for the Wire, with Daryl Powell’s team languishing in eighth place of the Betfred Super League table.

“Remember I put the curse on the Saints ahead of going to Toulouse!

“But after seeing Warrington’s 40-8 drubbing off Catalans in the South of France, it’s hard to look past the obvious outcome of Thursday’s game.

“Wolves boss Daryl Powell, a good friend of mine and someone I respect hugely, was very critical of some of the officiating in the game…but I don’t think even Daryl will deny it was far more than a few decisions that cost his side the points.

“With only one score the difference at the 65-minute mark, shows a complete capitulation from a team tipped to challenge for silverware, again.

“The Wolves, under the new regime of Powell & Co, were probably the most fancied team to stop Saints from winning title number four, but with just five wins from 12 games this has been far from the case.

“For me, it’s simple…his players are not good enough with too many overrated and underperforming.

“I know Daryl and his attitude to the game, and it seems the players are not buying in to his culture or are not capable of doing as he asks.

“Either way, these performances will not be acceptable at a club like Warrington.

“All being said, on their day they still have a number of players who can win games and Saints must turn up at the Halliwell Jones expecting the best of the Wolves.

“On current form, I don’t think the Wire pack can live with the Saints six, and I’m going for a visitors win by 18 points or more.”