Rugby League - Brown ready for rough ride

Saints still have work to do to secure a place in Super League’s top-eight series in what has proved an inconsistent campaign.

But Brown’s men have responded positively to a public rebuke from chairman Eamonn McManus in June with victories in their last two games against Castleford and rivals Wigan.

They will now aim to follow up with another strong performance against Catalan Dragons in Perpignan but Brown knows it could be a rough ride at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Brown said: “They are quite a big team – the French guys are all big boppers. They have got a well-balanced squad that is probably why they have been around that fourth-fifth spot for the past couple of years.

“And the French crowd get right into it – but the away crowd that go they get right into it too. The atmosphere is quite good.”

Victory for Saints would take them above the Dragons, who were fifth heading into this weekend’s round of fixtures.

With Leeds having stormed through from fifth to win the Grand Final in each of the last two seasons, there remains plenty of reason for optimism at Langtree Park.

Brown said: “The reality for all the teams in our area (of the table) is we all control our destiny.

“I am pretty confident the top four is nailed on and the next four is going to be determined by how well sides play and how consistent they are.

“If you have a consistent five-week period you will finish in that higher part. If you are up and down you can risk missing out.

“We control where we are. Our form continues to improve and if we are consistent we can put ourselves in a better position.”

Saints will come up against a Dragons side depleted by injury and suspension.

Scott Dureau, Brent Webb, Olivier Elima, Louis Anderson and Jason Baitieri are not fit while Julian Bousquet and captain Remi Casty are banned.

Brown said: “They are not going as well as they were earlier in the year but they have had some misfortune too. They have had a number of close losses.”

Saints’ goal-kicking half-back Gareth O’Brien, on loan from Warrington, is fit after a heavy knock against Wigan while utility man Lance Hohaia could also return.

In a week for career milestones – Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield making his 500th professional appearance and Warrington veteran Adrian Morley set to follow suit – Saints stalwart Paul Wellens is poised for his 400th Super League outing.

He is only the second player to reach that landmark after Leeds’ Keith Senior but Sinfield could become the third next week.

Rugby League - Brown ready for rough ride