RESPECT ball possession! That was the lesson to be learned by Saints according to team boss Shaun McRae after the below-par performance against London Broncos.

WHITTLE: What nearly went wrong? So said the fans as they reached for the tranquilisers after Sunday's nail-biter at Knowsley Road. Why did Saints struggle to win?

McRAE: First and foremost because they could not hold the ball in the first 50 minutes, and paid the penalty in finding themselves 22-8 down. In this period we coughed up the ball once on the first tackle, seven times on the second, twice on the third, five on the fourth fourth, five on the fifth and once on the sixth.

That makes a grand total of 21handling errors, which, of course, means more tackling, greater fatigue, and lack of confidence in moving the ball wide, which, of course, found Saints playing boring, one-man rugby as a consequence of this domino effect.

Fortunately, this sorry scenario was turned on its head in the final 20 minutes when Saints turned the ball over just twice, and that included the occasion when Anthony Sullivan lost possession in the act of touching down.

Along with the defensive aspects of the game, surrendering the ball to the opposition has been my constant 'beef' since I arrived in January, so the London Broncos near-fiasco was not an isolated case, and I think the point that Saints can score tries when passes 'stick' was clearly demonstrated in that crucial closing period.

WHITTLE: Some supporters are of the opinion that Bobbie Goulding has been struggling for fitness in recent weeks. Can you clarify this?

McRAE: Bobbie was nursing a sore knee after Wembley and got a knock on the shins on Sunday, but you can discount any serious doubts about his fitness to play. WHITTLE: It may be construed as a cynical observation, but players appear to be leaving Rugby Union for League, and then want to return to the 15-a-side code for the rich pickings in an easier game. Where is it all going to end?

McRAE: My first reaction is to say that there could be just one code of rugby in the fullness of time. But for the moment Rugby Union is in an embryonic state in that it is at the learning stage of appreciating what is involved in financing a big squad of players, to say nothing of spiralling administrative costs.

As for comparing the two codes I believe it is accepted that Union is easier to play and prepare for, not least because the levels of fitness demanded in League are much greater - ask Bath and Wasps! Which is just one of the many reasons why a merger may be further away than first thought. WHITTLE: On the one hand we hear complaints by some players of too much football then, lo and behold, with the arrival of Super League they want to play Rugby Union in the winter. What are your views on this contentious 'back-to-back rugby' issue?

McRAE: One need look no further than money for the reason because it has nothing to do with players wanting to play both League and Union just for the love of it. And I also believe that, given the physical demands, it is well-nigh impossible for either a forward or a back to do justice to both codes and two clubs.

Recuperation, regeneration and preparation all enter into the equation, and there would also be problems when the two games overlap. To quote an hypothetical case, what would happen if I wanted Chris Joynt for a session in the gymnasium in the middle of November, only to find he was rucking and mauling for Orrell? No, for me, there is nothing to be said in favour of the 'back-to-back' lobby, and the Saints' policy is one of total opposition.

WHITTLE: Everyone at Knowsley Road is delighted that Danny Arnold has been selected for the England squad for the next month's European championships. No doubt your response is one of 'hear hear?'

McRAE: Indeed it is because it is a tremendous accolade for young Danny, who has great confidence in his outstanding ability and we all hope that his prolific try-scoring is maintained in the national shirt. Congratulations also go to Chris Joynt, Paul Newlove and Bobbie Goulding, and who knows, with Shaun Edwards omitted Saints skipper might also get the England 'nod.'

WHITTLE: A quick count of heads suggests that only Scott Gibbs (shoulder), Joey Hayes (hamstring) and Andy Northey (groin) are on the walking wounded list. Is that the true situation?

McRAE: Yes, and all three will be missing for a month. But on a happier note Andy Haigh and Dean Busby return against Warrington A at Knowsley Road tonight (Thursday).

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