PAUL Wellens and St. Helens went from the top of the world to planes, trains and cars to come back for another shot at glory.
Because the man who led them to World Club Challenge glory soon found himself wondering what was going on and where he was on an epic 53-hour trek.
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Having achieved what seemed impossible to many with the 13-12 win at NRL champions Penrith Panthers, they left their Sydney hotel at 6am the next day.
Then it was on to Thailand, then Sweden and then Heathrow after their flight was diverted to Manchester.
Then a road trip ensued after they found the gate back to the northwest closed!
“A group of us had a world tour experience,” said boss Wellens, who had another staff member and 12 players with him. “It was like planes, trains and cars.
“We left the Pullman Hotel in Sydney at 6am on Sunday their time, then flew to Bangkok and had a nine hour layover. Then it was a flight to Stockholm, with a layover of seven hours.
“We should have flown to Manchester, but that ended up at Heathrow. We had a crazy flight there trying to get the plane to Manchester but the gate was closed for us.
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“So then we got a bus to pick us up and take us back to St. Helens.
“That’s three countries, four flights and a bus trip. In the end we didn’t walk through the front door until 1am Tuesday our time!
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“But it was made all the easier thanks to a great result.”
Saints go from the sublime to the ridiculously small dressing room at Castleford as their quest for a fifth consecutive Super League title begins.
But the players showed their intent by all coming to an optional training session on Wednesday, even those who made the 53-hour journey.
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And Wellens believes the environment can bring more out of his way, adding: “We consider it a historic rugby league ground. It will be a different experience, but one we look forward to.
“When you’re successful you want more and I’m not worried about players getting ahead of themselves.
“We know we’re going to Castleford and what we’ve done counts for nothing. We have to perform.”
Saints’ fame may ultimately have another effect – to pose a further threat to the England national team.
For France, boss Laurent Frayssinous believes working with the very best can give him more as a coach before hiring them in April.
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Frayssinous have already been given the job across the Channel until their home World Cup in 2025, as England fans wait to hear if Shaun Wane stays on after last year’s tournament in this country.
Every day he gets to work with the likes of Tommy Makinson, Jonny Lomax, Jack Welsby, Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley, who are likely to meet the French in the interim test.
And they can unknowingly form the basis for international defeat.
Frayssinous, whose side could face an England team – the Knights if the Tonga first team series is off the ground – in the European Championship final, said: “The Saints players will definitely teach me things like coach. That is already happening.
“I am really impressed with the standards the players set every day in training, what the leaders accept and don’t accept.
“I’m learning from them and can pass those messages on to the players of France. I’ll pass on a few tips and messages – this experience will definitely help.”