SAINTS prop Alex Walmsley is excited at the prospect of helping to lay a platform for Australian Ben Barba to shine in the red vee.

Scattering defenders and achieving quick play-the-balls will give the 2016 Grand Final-winning full-back the time and space to weave his magic.

Barba’s ban is now over and he is set to make his long-awaited and eagerly anticipated debut at home against Wigan Warriors on September 1.

“Ben and all the backs can only play as well as what the pack’s playing,” said the 6ft 5ins prop.

“Generally we’ve been playing good as a pack but I think we let them down a bit against Leeds Rhinos on Friday.

“We’ve got a big game next week as a middle. Wigan have got a big pack, they come hunting in these derbies and we’ve got to come hunting ourselves.”

Barba, the former Cronulla Sharks spark of genius who is preparing to represent his fifth club in five years, has settled in well according to Walmsley.

“He has really bought into what it is to be a St Helens player,” said the 27-year-old.

“He’s a big name, a big signing and there’s been a lot of press about him but I’m sure he’s going to come in and do a job.

“I’m sure he’ll get the nod next week and give us an extra dimension.”

At this stage it is not clear where Justin Holbrook plans to fit Barba into his team.

Although he starred at full-back in 2016 with Cronulla, he has history at stand-off in the NRL, where he also played for Brisbane Broncos after starting out with Canterbury Bulldogs in 2008.

“As players, we don’t know ourselves where he’ll be playing,” said Walmsley.

“Justin’s going to have a couple of headaches next week and I’m sure it’s a good headache to have.

“I don’t think he’ll by taking my front-row spot, there’s a few others who might - but not Benny.”

But Walmsley is certain that Barba will thrill the fans over the term of his stay.

“He’s a highlight package isn’t he? You can put his name in Google and Youtube and there’s thousands of clips,” said Walmsley.

“He’s a natural-born finisher, a naturally born rugby league player.

“He’s got skill and aspects of his game that 99 per cent of players don’t have and that’s what he’s going to bring to us – that extra dimension.

“It’s exciting. I’m sure it’s going to be exciting for the fans but it’s exciting for us as players as well.

“There’s going to be a lot of pressure on him and it’s important we don’t put too much on him.

“It’s not going to be the Ben Barba show next week, it’s St Helens versus Wigan and there’s 25 other players who want to have an input on that game as well.”