SAINTS will stage the opening game of Betfred Super League 2017 and face the prospect of two double-header rounds.

Keiron Cunningham’s men will start the season at home to Leeds Rhinos on Thursday, February 9, and then after a blank weekend to cater for the World Club Series involving Wigan and Warrington Saints’ first away trip will be to Super League new boys Leigh Centurions on Friday, February 24.

That trip to the Leigh Sports Village will be Saints’ only game in the first seven that will not be broadcast live on television.

Easter weekend will bring the traditional Good Friday clash with Wigan Warriors and then a date with Castleford on Easter Monday.

But there will also be a double header on Whit weekend, with Saints hosting Wigan on the Thursday and then visiting Castleford on the Monday.

The RFL explain this move is in order to best prepare the England national team for the 2017 World Cup, with the clubs agreeing to an international pre-season training camp and an international break.

Other key dates include a Magic Weekend battle with Hull at St James’ Park, Newcastle, on Saturday, May 20, a trip to Catalans Dragons in Perpignan on Saturday, March 18, and the derby clashes with Warrington on March 24 and May 5.

After Round 23 at Wakefield on Sunday, July 23, there will be a weekend for the Challenge Cup semi finals and then the Super 8s will start on the weekend of August 3rd-6th.

The Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final will be staged at Wembley on Saturday, Agust 26, while the Betfred Super League Grand Final will be at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 7.

Saints’ Super League fixtures 2017:

Round 1, Thursday, Feb 9 (Sky): Leeds Rhinos (Home)…8pm

Round 2, Friday, Feb 24: Leigh Centurions (Away)…8pm

Round 3, Friday, Mar 3 (Sky): Wakefield Trinity (Home)…8pm

Round 4, Friday, Mar 10 (Sky): Hull FC (Away)…8pm

Round 5, Saturday, Mar 18 (Sky): Catalans Dragons (Away)…6pm

Round 6, Friday, Mar 24 (Sky): Warrington Wolves (Home)…8pm

Round 7, Thursday, Mar 30 (Sky): Salford Red Devils (Away)…8pm

Round 8, Friday, Apr 7: Huddersfield Giants (Home)…8pm

Round 9, Friday, Apr 14 (Sky): Wigan Warriors (Away)…TBC

Round 10, Monday, Apr 17: Castleford Tigers (Home)…3pm

Round 11, Friday, Apr 21 (Sky): Widnes Vikings (Away)…8pm

Round 12, Friday, Apr 28: Leigh Centurions  (Home)…8pm

Round 13, Friday, May 5 (Sky): Warrington Wolves (Away)…8pm

Round 14, Saturday, May 20 (Sky): Hull FC (St James' Park, Newcastle)…4.45pm

Round 15, Thursday, May 25 (Sky): Wigan Warriors  (Home)…8pm

Round 16, Monday, May 29: Huddersfield Giants (Away)…TBC

Round 17, Sunday, Jun 4: Castleford Tigers (Away)…3.30pm

Round 18, Friday, Jun 9: Widnes Vikings (Home)…8pm

Round 19, Friday, Jun 23: Salford Red Devils (Home)…8pm

Round 20, Thursday, Jun 29 (Sky): Leeds Rhinos (Away)…8pm

Round 21, Friday, Jul 7: Hull FC (Home)…8pm

Round 22, Sunday, Jul 16: Catalans Dragons (Home)…3pm

Round 23, Sunday, Jul 23: Wakefield Trinity (Away)…3pm