Anderson: Sculthorpe's return key to Saints' form
St Helens coach Daniel Anderson says Paul Sculthorpe's comeback has been a key factor in the Knowsley Road's side's recent form. Saints have won their last 12 matches and are within two points of engage Super League leaders Leeds and just 80 minutes away from a Challenge Cup final.
And Anderson says having the former Great Britain skipper fit for the last five consecutive games has certainly helped Saints become one of the favourites to do "the double."
He said: "The biggest bonus I've had in the past month has been Paul Sculthorpe.
"He hasn't played five games in a row since I've been here - so that's been significant for us, having not only an extra body in the back row but someone who has so much experience and ability."
Anderson says the dynamic has changed at Saints with Sculthorpe no longer the sides' driving force with captain Keiron Cunningham and half-backs Sean Long and Leon Pryce "running the show."
He added: "We're a different team since I arrived. We keep evolving. We're a different team even from last year.
"So he is catching up a little bit on the subtleties of the way we play and how much say he has in our attack.
"Longy, Keiron, Robes and Leon run the show here - and he is finding his niche around them.
"He's becoming a little bit more comfortable with that, I think, and he's playing off that.
"He's got a beautiful set of hands - he has the hands of a half-back - and his ability to pass the ball gives us an extra dimension.
"He hasn't lost his vision or his handling ability. He's finding his way a little bit, and I think his form is improving."
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