SAINTS joint captain James Graham says his team mates know what to expect when they take on Wigan Warriors on Saturday.
The 25-year-old prop forward thinks the auld enemy will be stronger than last season and Saints will have to match them in every area of the field.
“It’s a tough match to start the season,” he said. “They have made some good signings and look better than last year. They set the benchmark in 2010 with the way they played and we know what we are expecting when we get down to Cardiff on Saturday.”
Graham was recently made joint captain with Paul Wellens as Royce Simmons looks to his leaders to drive Saints forward this year.
It was a natural progression for the Evertonian who has played the role all the way through his career.
He skippered the Academy and Reserve Saints sides as well as Great Britain Academy and was England captain in the Four-Nations in the Autumn.
He will also lead out the team on Saturday against the Warriors.
“I’m really happy to have been chosen to captain the Saints and I didn’t have a problem with the joint role,” he continued. “I know there was a lot of speculation about the captaincy but it was never a worry in my mind. Royce told us he would like a joint captaincy, but there are a lot of leaders both on and off the field.
“Hopefully me and Wello can lead by example.”
