That'll do pig, that'll do.

Pretty special tonight for a first run out of the season. Barba is sensational, clearly the marquee talent in the entire league. He just oozes class.

I'll reserve judgement on us until I see Cas and ourselves play again. They were so bad I can't tell whether it was because of how good we were or because their bubble has well and truly burst. They were woeful. We looked very good at times, but a lot of the timing and passing was off, so there is clearly a lot of improvement left in them. The 'D' was top notch however.

One Swallow doesnt make a summer, however the improvement in the players handling and movement, speed, and defensive ability was clear to see.

As for Ben Barba he was sensational.

Wilkin when on looked a cut above what he has been for last two or three years, and Lomax was class in the halves be it passing or kicking.

I thought we showed some rustiness at times but also made the game look simple from time to time.

Great to see athletic bodies in motion, and people running into spaces, rather than the turgid one up bash and barge predictability of the last few years.

Barba showed the class that we haven’t seen in a Saints shirt since Lyon, the X factor that can win trophies. But the best thing for me was the improvement in individual players games. Lomax looked like a genuine Half back for the first time, until he moved to centre in the second half, his kicking was outstanding, he did the 40/20? Wilkin looked completely rejuvenated, shorter time on pitch, far more effective. Richardson’s goal kicking. Percival’s passing. All signs that they have worked really hard in the off season. Holbrook is doing a great job, and is the first coach since Millward who feels like a Saint. Now that Walmesly is tied down, let’s get Holbrook signed up long term too.

We looked a second quicker in all aspects of the game passing, moving up in defence, fighting for loose ball. Couple of outstanding players, in the pack Thompson and Taia, in the backs Percival and Barba.
One significant moment was the one man tackle of Barba on Eden wrestling him into touch, that was a big lift to the team as Cas started to drop there heads. Cas tried to make a game of it with more possession in the second half but Saints showed some great defence. We seemed to put a lot of pressure on the Cas kicker, Roberts, Gale and Trueman were not allowed any time and space.
Holbrook got his selection and tactics right but it’s a long season ahead.

It was a huge performance for the start of the season. A good point was made in commentary, alot of saints players went to the world Cup. So could fatigue be a factor later for us in the season?

May need a flying start to enable us to rest some 10-15 games down the line

Big crowd last night too. More than for Leeds in our season opener last year and more than for our first game against Castleford last year.

carried on from end of last year really, Cas were a better team last year, and they may take time to get back to their best but we didn't look like losing it at anytime in the opening 10 mins and I think that strength needs to continue, too many time over the past few year we have lost the game in the first 20 mins.

For me we just looked better coached. Under Cunningham we seemed like an open age 3rd team who show up on game day and have chuck around with a few mates.

Everyone on the pitch for Saints looked improved on last season and Cas just looked poor

I hope this is an indicator of our style of play for the rest of the season. Speedy and sharp, besides the obvious stand outs - Luke Thompson deserves much praise. I only hope that he will be utilised sensibly and not be burnt out.

Thank Christ you didn't have Matty Smith; it would have been 80.

We can send him out on loan to you chaps for a couple of months until Gale, Truman and Roberts get there act together.

I'm 57, haven't played for 25 years & could do a better job than Smith, so will wait for the call.