THE St Helens Star understands that Saints are likely to push ahead with their new, open-age reserve team next season rather than tie-up with Championship club Rochdale on a dual registration basis.

Ian Talbot has already moved from the Hornets head coach's position to take charge of Saints' reserves.

Although nothing has been confirmed yet about the new structure, the plan seems to be that Saints will run a reserve team in 2016 as well as an under 19s.

The club would be able to retain over age players who are too old for the Under 19s Academy, but not quite ready for Super League.

It would allow Saints an extra year or two to run the rule over still maturing players rather than cut them loose prematurely.

The other advantage is that it would allow injured overseas players to return to action with their host club after injury to regain match fitness - something that was never allowed under dual registration due to the restrictions in work visas.

Not all clubs will be fielding reserve teams in 2016.