HEAD coach Justin Holbrook is content with Saints’ preparations for the new campaign as the first warm-up game arrives this weekend, writes Jack Coslett.

It is a stable camp heading into Super League XXIII, with back-rower James Bentley brought in from Bradford Bulls as the only new signing in a squad that finished 2017 strongly before bowing out to League Leaders’ Shield winners Castleford Tigers in the play-offs.

While a quantity of the club’s up-and-coming young talent will be on show against Sheffield Eagles on Saturday, more of the senior players will feature in the second and final friendly against Leigh Centurions the following Friday.

The fixture against Championship outfit Sheffield is to take place at Ruskin Sports Village, kick-off 3.30pm, to further protect – until next Friday – the newly laid pitch at the Totally Wicked Stadium that isn’t quite ready for match action.

Although the late switch brings its complications on a busy grassroots day at Ruskin Drive, including restricted parking and a reduced capacity of 450, Holbrook is pleased the friendly goes ahead.

He said: “It’s more to give those young guys a run, a bit of a trial, after they’ve been training all pre-season.

“We could have cancelled but it’s definitely important to get the young guys out there and that’s the reason we wanted to push on with it.”

He added: “Our top sort of 13 won’t play so it’s more some fringe guys with some younger guys. I think we’ve got seven from our academy having a run.

“Matt Costello will get plenty of game time and some of them young guys too.

“I’m not sure of Matt’s best position yet but I think that’s good for a young guy that can play a few positions. There’s not many players that can do that anymore so I’m looking forward to him playing the friendlies.”

Belief in their young guns is a reason for Saints bringing in only one new face.

Newcomer Bentley is among many trying to break into the side in 2018.

Holbrook said: “I’m really happy with the way the squad finished the year and the newer faces will come from within.

“I’m really expecting the younger guys to be pushing through, players like Matty Lees, Jack Ashworth, Danny Richardson who came on last year.

“With those guys and James Bentley, and we’ve got some other good guys coming through as well, I think that’s all we needed for this year.

“Bentley won’t start the year, but he’s fitted in well to the club. He’s a good young kid, he’s learned a lot and he’s got a lot more to learn. I’m sure he will want to play, as I’d expect him to, but if he does he will earn it that’s for sure.”

A more Saints-like style of play could be on its way as Holbrook has been keen to improve the ball handling of his side during pre-season.

He said: “There’s been lot of ball skills. That’s the game we play so we want to get it in the hands as much as we can.

“They’ve still trained hard. We’ve had a good pre-season but so has everybody and I’m aware of that. There’s no point singing your praises this time of year.”