SO here we are again, on the eve of another season, Super League’s 21st.

The past few weeks have been littered with speculation, chatter and comparing squad lists – now the serious business starts.

Saints were probably disappointed with the way 2015 unfolded – their first under new coach Keiron Cunningham.

To be fair Cunningham was dealt a pretty rotten hand with the defending champions being rocked with injuries and two high profile retirements during the course of the campaign.

Of those former skipper Paul Wellens, a rock for 18 years, was a significant loss – but one the team coped with to come within a Kevin Sinfield 40/20 of returning to Old Trafford.

This year the club have learned some lessons, thickening their squad in anticipation of injuries by four new recruits and the promotion of more youngsters.

Theo Fages signing from Salford is one that has caught the eye – and his ability to play in the halves and fill in at nine gives Saints options, not least to stop the need to play England hooker James Roby for 80 minutes every week.

In the pack Lama Tasi comes in as a direct replacement for Mose Masoe and more minutes and greater mobility is expected from the former Sydney Rooster.

In the centres Saints have plucked Dominique Peyroux from the fringes of New Zealand Warriors, and he will jostle for a place with the fleet-footed, silky skilled Mark Percival and a trimmed-down Jordan Turner.

Peyroux effectively replaces Josh Jones who has gone to Salford, via Exeter.

Saints’ other external recruit is Jack Owens, who will occupy the full back berth until Jonny Lomax and Shannon McDonnell return to fitness.

The 21-year-old Widnesian can also cover wing, as can McDonnell, an area Saints have not had massive amounts of cover for in the past.

Much of Saints’ season will hinge on the fitness and form of linchpin Luke Walsh, who is now into the last season of his three year deal.

Injury has prevented him from really sparking consistently – 2016 could be the year he puts that right. But at this stage it is still not clear who will be partnering him at six – Travis Burns, Turner or Fages.

And Lomax himself, after a couple of years wrecked with injury, will almost have the impact of a new signing when he strolls out in a few weeks’ time.

The years between 2009-14 were a long time, in Saints time, between trophies. The two they won in 2014 have given the team and its fans a taste of what they like, what had been missing during those difficult transitional years.

Saints – whether it is the chairman, CEO, coach, skipper or supporter ¬ - remain a club that is not content with needing the silver polish on five year cycles – the pressure will be on them to deliver.

A first win on Good Friday since 2008 would be the first on the tick list, followed by a trip to Wembley to end the seven year absence then Saints will have to prove they have the squad with the staying power to regain the Super League pot they famously took out in 2014.

Not much to ask for, is it?