Paul Rowley
Salford Red Devils head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

St Helens coach Paul Wellens was right when he said it would be a war of attrition. It's absolutely been that and more.

It has been ferocious defensively.

A loose pass from Mitchell Pearce can't be taken by wing Tom Davies and that is another handling error.

Neither side can really string anything together from an attacking sense yet.

A chorus of 'La Marseillaise' rings around the Gilbert Brutus. Always a rousing sound!

The French are liking what they are seeing so far as another Saints set comes to nothing.

Fantastic kick from Adam Keighran just inside the Saints half and we have our first points of the game.

Sione Mata'utia's high tackle is punished on the scoreboard.

Another controversial call, certainly in the eyes of the home fans.

Sione Mata'utia is told to be 'very, very careful' by the referee. He stays on the field, but it is a penalty.

That is a high shot from Sione Mata'utia on Sam Tomkins. The referee is asking for another look at this.

Is the Samoa forward in a spot of bother here?

Image source, SWPix.com

The French defence comes out on top as the St Helens attack is thwarted.

These players must be starting to puff their cheeks a little bit now. The commitment on a warm evening has been something else.

Paul Rowley
Salford Red Devils head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That is a real poor play from Tom Johnstone when the forwards are putting their bodies on the line.

He just has to put his foot on the ball when he's under no pressure.

Bad mistake from Tom Johnstone as he knocks on when fielding a deep St Helens kick.

Can the visitors take advantage?

Image source, SWPix.com

Over a quarter of the game played and no points played.

This is proper knockout rugby league, folks!

The TMO agrees with the on-field official. No try.

Tom Johnstone is adjudged to have fouled Jonny Lomax in his attempt to ground the ball.

The home fans are not content with that call.

Referee Chris Kendall calls 'No try', but asks to go upstairs.

Tom Johnstone thinks he has got it down for the home side.

Close!

Beautiful grubber kick from Tyrone May behind the defence and St Helens' Lewis Dodd is forced to kick the ball behind in desperate defence.

More loose handling from Les Dracs as Adam Keighran gives the ball away.

But when Saints go forward, the ball is stolen back off them.

Defences certainly on top so far as the visitors are then penalised for offside.

St Helens have good field position and on the last tackle, Lewis Dodd sends up a teasing little high kick from less than 20 yards away.

But the Dragons are able to get in the way of the Saints attackers as Ben Garcia is first down on the loose ball.

Dragons forward Matt Whitley throws a loose pass and St Helens have chance to attack.

They work the ball wide left but Sione Mata'utia's pass is out of play and too far ahead of Jon Bennison.

A touch of nerves on both sides perhaps - not surprising given what's at stake.

Paul Rowley
Salford Red Devils head coach on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Image source, Swpix.com

There's James Roby in the tackle again. Catalans are really making him work early on.

The answer is no.

Excellent defence from St Helens as Catalans' attackers try to dance and weave and find a bit of space or an elusive gap.

Ooof! That is a big tackle from Paul Seguier on Matty Lees.

Catalans are given the ball at the scrum in the Saints half. Can they do anything with it?

Catalans complete their first set with Sam Tomkins launching a long kick downfield.

St Helens respond by doing the same with their six as they push their opponents deep into their territory.

Expect plenty of this early doors.