KYLE Amor was Saints’ real life action man when Christmas came early for thousands of rugby league fans at the Trafford Centre on Sunday.

The Saints prop was one of ten players unwrapped in a marketing gimmick at the busy shopping centre with an estimated 5,000 people looking on.

Amor played his part - and it was his five-year-old daughter Lila who pushed the button to activate the present.

However, the big prop knows that Saints’ battle to retain their crown will be anything but child’s play.

Amor knows will have to raise their game if they want to repeat the success of 2014.

The big prop’s first season in the Red V saw the First Utility Super League trophy and League Leaders’ Shield make their way to Langtree Park.

That means pre-season is all the more important as the lads prepare for 2015... and it’s already reached a crucial stage.

The squad were on the Formby sand dunes last Saturday - to get some miles in their legs.

“Once you get past Christmas it hits you that the new season is fast approaching,” he said.

“The new structure this year means every minute matters; we know we have to accumulate as many points as we can to go forward after 23 rounds.

“It will be tough on players but exciting.

“Towards the end of last season it could have been anyone who took home the League Leaders’ Shield and this season it will be tougher and more intense.”

Saints have two friendly warm ups against Widnes and Wigan in January before the Super League season starts with a home game against Catalans Dragons on 6 February.

He continued: “We have a tough start to the season and as we are Champions we know everyone will be looking to knock us off.

“We will have to raise our game once again and step up to that challenge.

“The boys are looking fit at the moment and we are doing all the right things to prepare ourselves for 2015.”