SAINTS coach Justin Holbrook was a happy man after watching his side thump Wigan 36-10 at the DW Stadium.

He paid tribute to the team effort that delivered the comprehensive win – but also gave an injury update on the two Saints casualties of the game.

Saints were in control from the off – and even though they gave Wigan a slender toe-hold on the stroke of half time, it was a very one-sided contested with some stand-out players in the ranks.

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Holbrook praised the contribution of Lachlan Coote – the current man of the moment.

He said: “He is awesome. I have said every week he is a calming influence on our side and keeps us in control.

“He comes in and plays a big part in the way we are playing and was fantastic again today.

“And Regan Grace is playing really well too and finishing off some good tries.

“He is such a good player to watch run the ball – he is exciting and quick. That was a great try of his in the second half in particular.

“He is capable of a step up to Great Britain but there are so many good wingers in this competition. It is up to the selectors and it is early in the season – but he is more than capable.

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“Morgan Knowles is the most underrated player in Super League. You talk about Great Britain tours but he would be the first player I would pick. He is that good.

“Right from the start of pre-season he has worked so hard and been such a pleasure to coach. Our whole forward pack is playing well and he is a big part of that.”

After beating Warrington last week, backing up with a victory over Wigan in front of a 22,000 gate has put a real spring in everyone’s step.

The coach is among those feeling it.

“It is a good feeling at the moment – and it was a cracking atmosphere here today,” Holbrook said.

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“To have so many of our fans turn out today was massive and that was a credit to our players that they want to come and watch them play.”

It was not all good news and there were a couple of casualties that will be out for a few weeks after today.

Holbrook said: “Injury wise, Luke Thompson got a whack in the eye and although it is puffed up he will be ok.

“However, Mark Percival pulled a hamstring and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook has a damaged knee.

“Louie won’t play for a few weeks. It is an MCL part of his knee and it is in a brace so both he and Percy will be out for a while too.

“Robes had been crook all week so we carried Aaron Smith and he came on and did a really good job for us late in the game. I was really happy for him.

Theo Fages missed after not making through training in the week.

“Theo is not quite right – he had a chance for today but could not make it through training.

“That is going to make him hard to get right for Monday.”

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With things going well, Holbrook does not seem in a rush to be leaving and said he had a quick chat with the chairman.

“I have had a quick chat with the chairman and we wanted to wait to get a busy Easter out of the way and have a chat in May.

“I am happy with that, he is happy with that. I am obviously enjoying it here – it is a great club and I love the playing group. I have enjoyed it ever since I got here so we will what happens.

“I haven’t got any plans to leave,” Holbrook said.