Well, it’s that time of year again…I’m back with my column in association with Super League title sponsors Betfred - and I’m buzzing to get going!

I promise you as always, no sitting on the fence even if my very good mate is Head Coach at Saints. Lol!

I say that with nothing but 110% confidence in Wello to continue the reign of success that he’s helped create over the last four years from the co-driver's seat.

Paul took over from Kristian Woolf at the end of another successful season, and for me there was no other choice to be made.

Wello has served his apprenticeship under some great coaches in the last seven years, for both club and country and is more than ready for the top job.

Chairman Eamonn McManus backed this up saying he was the ‘standout candidate’ for the job with lots of interest from both sides of the world.

His personality, people skills and knowledge making him the coach the chairman p wanted!

There’s no hiding from the fact that this role comes with pressure, as Saints is a club that demands success…on top of winning the Betfred Super League on the last four occasions….but I guarantee this will be of no distraction.

Like the coaching staff, which includes the new assistant and French National coach and good friend of mine, Laurent Frayssinous, I believe Saints still have the strongest and most talented squad in Super League.

Add to that, the exact same squad that won at Old Trafford in October and the return of first choice halfback Lewis Dodd, who is back from a ruptured achilles early in the season.

The new gaffer certainly doesn’t get an easy start to his job.

A double header down under as the team head to Australia, playing a pre-season friendly against St George Illawarra Dragons, before facing back-to-back NRL Champions Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge on Saturday the February 18.

This is a huge game, Saints not only representing the club but the British game as a whole.

It’s forever said if our game as a whole is to grow commercially we need a strong international programme…something the Aussies don’t seem too fussed about.

A win here, like we’ve done several times before, would certainly give the British game and Super League more credibility than we currently receive.

Anyway, before the trip down under the Saints faithful get to watch the boys take on Widnes on Friday in Mark Percival’s Testimonial game.

Percy has been an outstanding servant to the Saints over the last ten years, and anyone who knows me will know he a player I admire very highly.

I hope the fans come out in force to support a player who puts his body on the line every-time he crosses that whitewash.

Percy will be looking for a big 2023, and if he does, Saints will be no doubt be once again collecting silverware.

On that note, title sponsors Betfred have the ‘four-midable’ Saints 2/1 favourites to make it five in a row, and 10/1 to win the Grand Final and Challenge Cup double, crowning a remarkable first season in charge for my old mate!