SAINTS have unwittingly filled the void vacated by Friends Reunited by teaming up Jack Owens with his old mate Mark Percival again.

The pair grew up, played rugby and went to school together in Widnes - and although they remained friends they have not played together since Percival crossed the Sutton Manor boundary to join the Saints junior set up seven years ago.

Owens, who will make his senior first team debut at full back in tonight’s Super League opener against Huddersfield, has watched his mate’s career advance to the verge of England selection and has come to Saints to hopefully see his own career develop.

Owens said: "Me and Percy grew up together in Ditton, we went to junior school and high school together.

"He has helped me settle in here and now we can help each other improve as players.

"I have watched him win the Grand Final, I want to do likewise.

"I have not played with him since I was 14 and seeing how much he has improved gives me the urge to do exactly the same."

Injuries to Jonny Lomax and Shannon McDonnell mean that Owens has a couple of early season games at least to stake his claim.

The 21-year-old said: "It is a chance for me – and I have had a lot of time at full back to improve my game.

"I have got a chance here to earn my place and then I have got to do really well to keep it because those two are both really good players who are going to come back fit and strong.

"Those two (Lomax and McDonnell) have helped me out massively and I will do the same for them when they are playing full back."

It is noticeable how vocal Owens is - and that confidence in organising the team's defence is a crucial asset.

Owns said: "I don’t think you have any other option to be vocal at full back. I am confident doing telling players what to do, but sometimes you get things wrong.

"If you are confident with your decisions at full back it makes the rest of the team. You have to be vocal – in the halves Luke Walsh, Travis Burns and Theo Fages have to boss the team around.

"Defensively it is my job to make sure the team is set and ready. I have played a lot of wing, and can play along the backline but my first position is full back.

"I will play anywhere here."

Despite Owens' youth he has a fair bit of experience having made his first team debut under Denis Betts at the age of 16.

He could not displace Vikings' Australian full back Rhys Hanbury, and although he may have to wait in the wings at Langtree Park once Lomax returns that is not a state of affairs he is simply going to settle for.

"I was behind Rhys at Widnes and now I will be behind Jonny when he comes back to full fitness.

"I will just take my chance when I can. I have got that shirt now, but have to earn it.

"I have to pay respects to players that are injured, but I have not come here just to sit behind players.

"I have come here to improve as a player and take my chance.

"All I can do is my best," he said.