SAINTS will carry the tag of champions proudly into the 2015 campaign – but nobody at Langtree Park is under any illusions that 11 other teams will not be trying especially hard to tuck their scalp into their belts in what is going to be a fascinating season.

That thought is not lost on new signing Travis Burns, who predicts that the new look format will mean that every game counts.

And raising the possibility that the fifth placed team could be eliminated from the play-offs on points difference believes that Super League XX will see every try and goal counting.

Burns said: “We have got two very hard games to start the comp and it is a tougher Super League this year because two teams have dropped out and the cream of those sides have gone to other clubs to strengthen them.

“I was chatting to Jon Wilkin about it the other day and the players that other teams have signed have all improved squads across the board.

“It is going to be an exciting year and you have to fight for top four.

“Even though St Helens were champions last year that doesn’t mean too much this year because it is a fresh start.

“There can be no resting on laurels of a season that has gone and done.

“They achieved great things, but this is a new squad now with new personnel and coaching staff. We need to work extra hard to bring it back up to the level that the boys reached last year.

“The format has changed – you don’t make top four then you can’t win the comp so every try and game matters.

“Teams could get knocked off fourth spot on for and against so every point matters.”

For Burns the need to perform has already been drummed into him before he has even pulled on a red vee in combat.

“Coming to a team that is already champions adds pressure to perform,” he said.

“But then you walk around the street and talk to fans, and so many ex-players, and you soon get the message that St Helens don’t stand for losing.”