Luke Walsh will be the best buy of the year. He has been a match winner in the NRL for years when teams don't target him and bash the little guy out of the game, but he won't have that problem so much in the ESL. He is as good an organising halfback and has as good a kicking game as any halfback in the world - if he wasn't built like a 16 year old girl he'd be playing for Australia. In the ESL he will be like his old partner Scott Dureau - too small for NRL - able to show all his skills in the ESL.

Don't tell me that, between roby re-signing on a long term deal and the promise of an actual half back it's enough to get a saints fan giddy!

At the minute:

1 - Richie Mathers
2 - Peter Fox
3 - Dean Collis
4 - Lee Smith
5 - Reece Lyne

6 - Paul Sykes
7 - Bobbie Goulding Jnr (If Re-Signed)

8 - Scott Anderson (New Signing)
9 - Paul Mchanse (New Signing)
10 - Matt Ryan (New Signing)
11 - Ali Lauitiiti
12 - Danny Kirmond
13 - Danny Washbrook

14 - Matt Wildie
15 - Andy Raleigh
16 - Richie Moore (New Signing)
17 - Taulima Tautai

With back up of:
18 - Daniel Smith (New Signing)
19 - Chris Annakin
20 - Lucas Walshaw
21 - Kyle Trout
22 - Jon Molloy
23 - Ben Shulver

could do with another half though!

Saints do look good. A hardworking pack, a decent backline and some exciting young backs. If it weren’t for Nathan Brown and his yearly meltdowns id have them down as favourites.

... Let me get back to you on this!

1. Mullaney
2. Williams
3. Gleeson
4. Sa'u
5. Meli
6. Chase
7. Smith
8. McPherson
9. Lee
10. Tasi
11. Hock
12. Rapira
13. Dixon

14. Howarth (Noble was singing his praises at the recent fans meeting)
15. Puletua
16. Morley
17. Griffin

Ashurst
J. Walne
A. Walne
Fages
Emmitt
Owen
Walton
Johnson
Hope
Tyson
Davies
Ford
Evalds

I can't remember a better looking Salford squad. Harrison Hansen is also very close to agreeing terms, plus maybe one more according to the good doc.

Saints look like they will be a serious force next season.Some great recruitment along with some exciting home grown talent.If Walsh turns out to be as good as they are predicting and Roby stays clear of injury then surely they will be right there at the end of the season.
Leeds backline is as good as anything in world RL nevermind the ESL.Serious competition going to be happening between BJB,Hardaker and Briscoe.Just a bit concerned about their pack but never underestimate the Rhinos.Great capacity for producing quality home grown talent that always seem to step up when needed.
Wigan will be interesting.How will they cope with the loss of Sam and the possible loss of Hansen but with the conveyor belt of talent they have along with all the experience gained from last years campaign by their younger players then its not hard to see them winning something next year.
Warrington are going to be an exciting team to watch.Really looking forward to seeing Matty Russell after his fantastic World Cup campaign.Myler and Ratchford in the Halves behind an exciting pack boosted by Asotasi.
Salford,my team.If we can finish 8th then that will be a decent season.Can see us scoring plenty of points but can also see us shipping a few as well.Going to be tough to gel so many new players into a real team but its going to be an exciting time.Will be a real rollercoaster of a season for sure.
Got to give a mention to Cas.Like many teams they wont be winning any trophies but what a good squad they have assembled with plenty of depth as well.With one of the best coaches in the league and very little pressure from expectations they are going to have a good year.They might not be winning anything but the results they can produce will have an impact on who will be winning trophies.

I think we'll see a big improvement in St Helens next season as they have signed what the lacked so badly last season: a half back that can control the attack. Luke Walsh has an excellent kicking game and will provide structure in their attack, which they didn't have last season. Really looking forward to seeing how they do.

8 Amor
9 Roby
10 Laffranchi
11 Manu
12 Soliola
13 Wilkin

14 Masoe
15 LMS
16 Walmsley

I thought Rovers had recruited well in the pack, but those forwards look very good... Combine that with Walsh's kicking and organisation skills and it could be a big season for Saints.

I tipped Saints last year and even though they let me down I'm going to do the same this year. The only doubt for me is the back line, young and full of potential but they still have a bit to prove imo.

Leeds have a scary good back line but I don't like the pack. Warrington will be up there again, I don't know what to make of Wigan and Salford will be much improved but won't trouble the leaders. Huddersfield have to prove that last year wasn't a one off.

As for my team Hull, I have no idea what to make of our squad. Bags of talent, speed and size, but there's just too many unknown quantities and gambles.

My prediction

Saints
Warrington
Wigan
Leeds
Hudds
Hull
Hull KR
Catalans
Salford
Widnes
Castleford
Wakey
Bradford (depends how badly cuts affect the squad)
London

Got to be a good thing that not many people are taking about Rovers.

I think we've recruited really well and have a really strong 17. What I like is that for the first time in SL we've a really strong 18-23

18. Liam Salter
19. Craig Hall
20. Jordan Cox
21. Keal Carlile
22. Rhys Lovegrove
23. James Green

The pack we've assembled seems very strong and we've got a very good back line. Much will depend on how our new half Kris Keating performs. We've increased the budget significantly this year in the back room staff with increased medical and conditioning personnel.

The medical facilities for the club is also getting overhauled massively in the close season. All this should leave Rovers able to field a more solid team as Craig Sandercock aims to field his strongest side for the 1st time in two years.