Holbrook Happy With Squad

Justin Holbrook believes his squad has right mix of experience and youth to do well next season.

The majority of the players are now back in training with just the club’s England contingent to return.

“I’m confident with the squad,” the head coach said. “I’m really happy with the new players we have brought in and the younger players who have benefited from the experience they got last season.

“Danny Richardson had his first full season in Super League and then you have Matty Lees and Jack Ashworth plus the likes of Morgan Knowles and Regan Grace who are still young too.

“The young guys got plenty of game time last year and contributed. That will help us this year.”

Holbrook reported that James Roby had surgery on his shoulder in the off-season but is back and in full training.

Alex Walmsley is also taking part in pre-season and will have a scan on his neck next week.

“Officially, it is similar from our last update,” he continued. “Alex has to get enough bone regrowth to be able to play and he gets a scan and sees a specialist next week. In training he is doing everything asked of him; he is just waiting for the green light to play.

“Pre-season is going well and we’re almost back together. Theo (Fages) came in this week and Joseph Paulo has also come in. The England players are due in next Monday.

“We started last season really well so there will be a similar build up this time around. It’s about individuals getting to where we want them to be before the team comes together.

“The new players coming in will alter how we play slightly but we won’t throw everything out of the window. We won 26 from 30 last season but, with that in mind, we don’t want to do the same as we don’t want the same outcome.

“It wasn’t a frustrating season, just disappointing in the end. We had two completely different exits from competitions we wanted to win.

“We had won a lot of games before that semi-final with Catalan but we got ambushed. In the other semi-final, there wasn’t a lot in the game. We were leading with five minutes to go so it was disappointing we couldn’t hang on and get it done.”

He continues: “It’s early days but I’m excited to see how the season will pan out. You can’t imagine Leeds not being thereabouts and I thought Warrington were really strong last year. Wigan won the comp and then you have Hull, Cas and Catalans too. Everyone looks really strong.

“There have been some big signings at some clubs too so I’m expecting it to be another good season.”

Tickets for all Saints 2019 Betfred Super League home games – including the blockbusting opener against Wigan on January 31 – are now on sale.

You can get yours by calling into the Ticket Office, tel: 01744 455 052 or online here.

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