SAINTS may a struck first blood in the back-to-back games against Leeds Rhinos, but coach Paul Wellens does not see that has automatically giving them an advantage going into Friday's Challenge Cup tie.

The quirks of the draw have paired the sides together the week after playing in the league, similar to 2002 and 2003 when Saints played Leeds at home in Super League just ahead of the semi final Challenge Cup meeting.

Saints won both encounters in 2002, with Leeds chalking up a victorious brace the following year.

But history does not give an accurate or consistent reading of what Friday night at Headingley has in store.   

Asked if last Friday's win has given them a boost, Wellens replied: "I don't feel that way - across the hall from us is a team that had a lot of good periods in that game.

"I think they'll take confidence from that.

"There's also a bit of a wounded animal and I know from just being involved in the game long time that they are going to come back and bite back next week and we've got to be prepared for playing the same team, but probably in a different game.

"And it's a different challenge - the Challenge Cup itself brings different emotions.

"The do-or-die side of it is challenging so we're going to have to look at the good stuff that we did, fix up some of the poor stuff that definitely needs fixing up, but understand that next week it gets even tougher."