Wigan Warriors

MARK Percival believes St Helens are proving talk is not always cheap, especially when it comes from within.

For a frank discussion is proving the moment their season turned a corner.

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Just over three months ago, boss Paul Wellens was getting all kinds of stick as the former four-time Super League and World Club champions floundered.

Now after nine wins in 11 matches, Saints are firmly in the race for a top three finish and defeating rivals Wigan tonight would put them in contention for second.

And centre Percival can pinpoint the moment the tide started to turn – and the real St Helens started showing up.

He said: “About 12 weeks ago, we all had a good sit down – I think it was after the Warrington game – and a chat.

“I’ve been part of this club for 12 years and I’d not had a chat like that for a long time. It wasn’t nice at the time, a lot of honest things were said.

“But I think it really did turn the corner for us. Since then, everyone’s bought into what we want to do.

“Everyone knows St Helens as a club – we play tough but also play smart. We lost that a bit. We were trying to beat teams by going out there and expecting it to happen.

“We wanted it easy at the time but over the last 12 weeks, we’ve relearned how hard it is.

“We beat Wakefield by a few points but everyone said it was harder than it seems. That’s because we were putting in the effort we were supposed to.

“And you feel for the coach sometimes when they’re copping the stick. It was to do with us on the field if I’m honest. We had a good enough team out there, but we weren’t performing.”

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St Helens and Wigan would be a fierce derby if they were playing tiddlywinks, never mind rugby league.

Throw in competition for England places against Australia and you have even more reason to perform, especially at centre.

As well as Percival, you have Saints’ Harry Robertson and Wigan’s Jake Warde battling it out as the 31-year-old admits one of those roles is taken if Herbie Farnworth is fit.

He added: “There are a lot of good players in my position. Harry, myself and Jake out there tonight.

“I know what I can do but I see the likes of Herbie and Jake as absolutely brilliant players. No-one’s getting in over Herbie, he’s probably the best centre in the world.

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“And I hope he’s fit for England’s sake.

“Harry’s superb and it’s kept me on my toes as we’ve players coming up who are athletic, strong, brilliant.

“Every club has a transition period. A few years ago, we had all that success but you lose players who won all that.

“Now we’re trying to build that team again and over the next few years, with the young lads we’ve got, it can get back to that as they’ve the ability to do it.”

MICKY Higham sat down with his two sons and spelled it out after receiving the news he dreaded – this time will be different.

For years, the hooker rolled the blows in a career that saw him play for Leigh, Wigan, Warrington and St Helens.

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He toughed it out against the very best for England and Great Britain. This battle, though, is off the field.

Noticing a lump on his right buttock turned out to be something much more serious – a 10cm cancerous tumour, with tests finding the disease had spread and the devastating diagnosis of stage four widespread metastasized cancer.

And the pain caused this time around is far more significant after it returned, three years after fighting off a metastatic malignant melanoma.

“Originally, I just kept it really low key,” said Higham, who has started immunotherapy treatment. “I said, ‘Lads, I’ve just found another lump. I’ll have to get it sorted next time.’

“Harry, my eldest, is 21 in January and they’re not stupid. He got wind.

“So I sat them down last Sunday and said, ‘Listen, it’s going to be a bit worse this time fellas. I just need to give your mum some help around the house.’

“I’m not missing them playing rugby, Harry at Swinton and Alex for Leigh Miners Rangers. I’m not missing that as they’re a big reason why I keep fighting and going.

“I found a small lump on my right bum cheek. I had an issue with my toe too and thought, ‘It’s a bit sore. I might just have a bit of a knock.’

“So I left it a week or two, then I thought, ‘The pain’s a bit more.’ It went down my leg a bit, so I felt the lump again and thought, ‘It doesn’t feel like a knock. That feels really hard.’

“I told my doctor and he said, ‘Let’s get it checked in after the last time.’ It was a cancerous tumour on my right glute, then I had some more scans.

“A PET scan really showed up the melanoma. It’s come to the shoulders, it’s in my arms, my hips. It’s come to my legs.

“It’s in my chest, my groins and in my lymph nodes. It was a pretty widespread and stage four, so it was a real kick in the teeth.

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“I’m quite shocked how quick the pain’s come on. Each week, you’re like, ‘Wow, it’s coming on more there.’

“This one’s a tougher battle, but I’m ready to attack it. I’ve never had anything given to me in life and I’ve always had to work hard for things.

“I may be struggling a bit but I’m ready for it.”

Higham, 44, is keeping up the traits that saw him through his last cancer battle – his relaxation and his determination.

The pain means he has had to step back from the gym he owns and radio punditry duties for the time being – but if you think he is sat at home moping, think again.

He has already sorted the first event as he looks to raise funds – with a target of £50,000 just beaten after £25,000 then £40,000 was met.

A bucket collection was held outside and inside the ground at Friday’s match between two of his former clubs – the Leopards and Wolves – while Leigh owner Derek Beaumont has launched a special fundraising shirt.

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Higham will also walk from his hometown of Leigh to the Monton area of Salford on Sunday, August 24 and typically, the thought of doing it for others is at the forefront of his mind.

“I want to give something back to the Christie and Macmillan because for the last three years they’ve been fantastic,” Higham added.

“My pain was quite severe last week but they just said, ‘Come in, we’ll check you out. We’ll change your medication and provide some relief, literally within days.

“I can’t really put into words the work they do. I’m not one for shouting but sometimes you’ve got to get on board, don’t you?”

Higham’s condition and treatment under Manchester’s Christie Hospital means he can see the toll it is taking on wife Kate.

After the last cancer fight, it is something he did nit want to see again – but just like him, she is doing her bit as he looks to get on a European drug trial after being turned down for a UK one.

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He told SunSport: “I obviously had a big setback with that. To get on a clinical trial, I had to have my blood done.

“All the enzymes have got to be pretty level with everybody and mine are a lot higher than everybody else. I was told it could be down to being a sportsperson over the years.

“To give myself the best chance of getting it down, I did Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and didn’t move off the couch.

“Unfortunately, it was still too high but even though Kate’s doing it tougher than me, she and her friend have been having a good look around and there is something.

“Because I’ve got my immuno now, every three weeks for the next four months, it’s 12 weeks and they’ll re-scan me.

“The immuno might do the job but if not, we might look at the option if there’s something available there.”

*YOU can donate to the fundraising appeal for Micky Higham at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/emma-worrall-2.