Mate of mine has got a stewarding job at the new stadium and he's told me that there will be a friendly with Widnes on boxing day announced soon.

Not what i was told. I think that was the original plan but at the moment I dont think that will happen.

Saints needs the safety certificate and from what I'm told they want season ticket holders to attend the opening of the stadium.

I also know saints have been in talks with the RFL about the first vane if the season being at home, on sky and against a very big club.

So we are planning to lose our first game in the new ground? Not the best idea IMO.

That was my reaction as well.

Why dont you just say McManus has asked the RFL can you play Wigan for your first game in the new ground next year? If it comes off you'll beat us, just like Catalan was destined too.

Playing Wigan or Wire first up would be silly. It is a waste of an opportunity to make money from an otherwise unnatractive fixture that would draw a big crowd.
Catalan could be a good bet for a decent side first up. A fixture that doesnt normally get fans rushing to the turnstiles, but which would be a match that would appeal to neutrals and SKY as one worthy of kicking off things in the new stadium, due to the quality of the Cats side.

Wonder if Sky will want a grand final rematch between Leeds and Saints?

I also think its best not to get a mega match first up for safety reasons. Stewards and fans would be unfamiliar with the stadium. Hence if anything went wrong it would exacerbate the problem. Best to get familiar with the ground before the big guns come into town.

Ditto with all the above.
We'd be daft to get a Wigoon or a Wire game first up. That would mean one less sell out for me.
Id have Cas,last league game at K.R and first one at new stadium.
Plus they play good rugby and should be a good game for the newbies there.
Have a fink about It Saints.

I would have thought Widnes would be an ideal 1st home game for Saints. Their first game back in Superleague should ensure a good away following.

exactly...lets play widnes for the first game at home on sky.....just to say 'thanks for lending us your e stadium, but weve got our own now'!! then hopefully stuff em by about 50 points!

Because it's not Wigan saints have requested to play.

That's who I'd like to play. Local derby, they will have good following with it being their first game in super league at the best stadium in super league and it should be a game saints should win.

Is the saints logo staying the same as it has been in 2012 or was that a temporary thing?