Catalans Dragons had two men sent to the sin bin and conceded 48 unanswered points in a humiliating defeat to St Helens.

St Helens 48-2 Catalans Dragons: Champions return to Grand Final after rampant semi rout


St Helens will have the opportunity to defend their Super League title against Wigan Warriors in the Grand Final after dismantling the undisciplined Catalans Dragons on Friday.

Saints were stunning 48-2 winners in a complete mismatch of a play-off semi-final as Kevin Naiqama ran in a hat-trick of tries.

James Maloney kicked the first points of the game for Catalans, but he soon departed for the sin bin following a rugged challenge on Regan Grace and the visitors fell apart.

Lachlan Coote - consistent with the boot throughout - nudged the champions in front with the opening try and there was no looking back.

Naiqama got his first score before James Graham's final Saints home game ended in disappointing fashion as he failed to return after a head injury.

It mattered not as his team-mates did the business in his absence after half-time.

A relentless display saw Naiqama in for his second three minutes after the restart, then Coote doubled his tally and Jonny Lomax added try number five.

Ben Garcia became the second Dragons man to see yellow and again Saints capitalised, scoring with James Bentley, Naiqama - completing his treble - and then Grace to seal a sublime victory.