ONE of Keiron Cunningham’s first tasks as head coach on Monday morning was to contact some of the players who will be executing his game plan next term.

Interestingly one of those was former Hull KR stand off Travis Burns, who Cunningham describes as his first signing.

And after Saints accomplished mission impossible by taking out the Grand Final without any recognised halves, Cunningham is excited about what lays in store next year when Burns teams up with Luke Walsh to give the team two playmakers.

Cunningham said: “I have already been on the phone to Luke Walsh and also Travis Burns, who despite not really knowing me, said he wanted me to get the job because of what he has heard. I am excited to be working with those people.

“I look at Travis Burns as my first signing because I had a big influence in bringing him here.

“We were looking at going down another avenue and paying a transfer for somebody else – but when Nathan knew he was going he said to me ‘if you are head coach next year do you want Burnsy as your six?’ “I said yes becauseI believe he has the St Helens culture without even being here.

“He is a competitor and the more of those you have in your side the more chance you have of winning the game.”

Off the field Cunningham’s back room staff have not been finalised – but there is considerable speculation that Sean Long could be lined up for a Saints return, although the talk on Monday was about promoting from within.

Jamahl Lolesi will stay on as assistant, with Cunningham saying: “Me and Jamahl are good friends and have worked together well for two years.

“I would love to keep him around for as long as I possibly can.

“If I can get somebody else in then I will do.

“We have plenty of junior coaches and I like what they do because they understand the club – I will probably try to appoint from within.

“Me and Longy are good mates and always will be, but I don’t know the dynamics of where he is at with Salford.

“I have probably had a million messages off Longy but I know he is in Australia at the minute coaching with Samoa in the Four Nations,” he said.