Saints official site just tweeted that Eastmond starts at 7 for us tonight. Big boost for us going into the new season.

Also heard rumour that Jammer has signed new 5 year contract. Fingers crossed

Heard the same myself along with him being given the captaincy.

A little bit of a shock!

I said last week and posted on here I think that Kyle would play against Wigan at the magic weekend.

Kyle listed at 7 on the Saints match centre:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Michael Shenton, 17. Gary Wheeler, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Kyle Eastmond; 15. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 9. James Roby, 10. James Graham, 4. Sia Soliola, 13. Chris Flannery 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 11. Tony Puletua, 14. Scott Moore, 16. Paul Clough, 18. Matty Ashurst, 19. Andrew Dixon, 20. Jonny Lomax, 22. Jamie Foster.

Really strong side that, and EXACTLY how my first choice XIII would line up (until Perry is back).

Once Perry back, bench of LMS/Puletua/Clough/Moore.

Cracking side in prospect.

I agree with fear the vee, the team looks a lot stronger this year. I think Shenton and wheeler in the centre will add much needed pace and attack.

The addition to perry, LMS and Sia into a already strong pack will take us up a gear.

Injuries are key tho!

Good to see Kyle Back earlier than expected

Fingers crossed all round then. Come On You Saints.

I thought somebody had slipped some magic mushrooms into my food when I saw Eastmond at 7! Great boost for the season.

You are forgetting that actually playing Wheeler and Eastmond risks them being injured.

Really happy to see Eastmond back for you guys. Regardless of the fact he plays for our main rivals I love watching him play and hopefully he can now stay clear of injuries for a good spell.

A new contract for any rugby league club from 2012 would be a bonus aswell as we need to keep this lad in this sport.

I wonder which club you want him to sign for.

Royce won't be happy with our defence again 8 -18 make that 8 - 24

12-24 with approx 15 mins to go.

Our attack don't sound so hot either!

score is 8 -30 now

Sack royce!



I expected a bit of a reaction to Simmons comments about poor defence but it don't sound like the players have took notice.

It's only pre-season game and don't mean anything.

final score 12 - 36 Defence is worse than ever. or so it seems.

Well thats a tonking. If Im thinking positively at least It'll shown us were we need to put a lot of work In.
Still Its what happens In a fortnight that matters,he says reassuringly.

Attack don't sound great either

Glad I couldn't go now. lol although it is no laughing matter. We'll see what the others say when they come back from the game.

Score means nothing....wait until the season starts

As I've said elsewhere, I think both coaches had specific purposes in mind for that match. Too much of it was orchestrated, like Steve Ganson going totally ape with his whistle in the first half, a lot of focus on Gary Wheeler, a ton of personnel changes by Royce throughout the game. There was a time when we were kicking early and another when Roby was doing his old style run up the middle with pace thing that he used to do so well. Each phase passed but they seemed to focus on certain plays for a period. Maybe I'm wrong, but the whole thing did seem a bit orchestrated.