Catalonia Dragons 4-36 St Helens: Darrell Clarke marks 350th Premier League match with two tries to win

In a frantic start, Staines made an early save attempt on Tristan Sailor out wide before he was crowded out at the other end chasing a dangerous kick.

Both chances came in quick succession and just before Clarke opened the scoring, Wright broke through the Dragons’ defense to send the England international up the field.

The Saints’ early season trip to France reunited them with Lewis Dodd for the first time since his return to the Premier League with the Catalans after spending one year in the AFL with South Sydney.

He came close to a memorable try against the club with whom he won three Premier League titles, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge, but fumbled the ball in a tackle just wide of the goal line after an audacious run.

The host then linked up with Clarke shoveling in at the other end to increase the visitors’ advantage soon after, and Wright again went for Saints on the hour mark by turning out of the clutches of three tackle attempts for a touchdown.

Clarke ran from dummy half and went from close range to help make it 24-0 with 15 minutes to go, and while Staines linked up with Josh Sim on the left edge to try to come back for the stunned hosts, it quickly became worse for the Catalans.

Hastings, who scored five tries in the win, beat Paul Rowley’s side from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute before in-form winger Veldt scored twice in the final two minutes of the game to complete the emphatic win.