Pryce is due to be sentenced this week after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm but his game seemed unaffected.

Potter added: “Leon focuses what he needs to focus on. His job is to play the best rugby league he can and I think that is a credit to the guy.

“He could use other things as a distraction but he doesn’t and that is probably a good trait in his character.”

Pryce was also involved in a controversial incident in the second half when he appeared to indicate he had been bitten on the arm.

“Obviously something went on there,” admitted Castleford coach Terry Matterson. “We did some really dumb things today and we are going to have to look into it.”

It was a dismal performance by the Tigers, who had hoped to move joint second, but Matterson suggested his players might not have really believed they could really beat Saints.

“Losing doesn’t bother me but the manner in which we did does,” Matterson said.

“We have been competitive for a lot of games but we were out of this before we kicked the ball.

“I was pleased how we came back after half-time. We spoke about showing some pride but then we lost it again in the last 10 minutes when they scored some soft tries.”

Castleford’s defeat was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to Joe Westerman, who was taken to hospital after having a fit on the field following an accidental blow to the head.