NEW Saints boss Kristian Woolf has expressed his excitement at facing NRL Champions Sydney Roosters in the 2020 Betfred World Club Challenge at the Totally Wicked Stadium, Saturday 22 February, kick off 7.45pm.

Seeking their third World Club Challenge after victories over Brisbane in 2001 and 2007, Saints have found Roosters tough in the past.

The Roosters, competing as Eastern Suburbs Roosters, won the inaugural World Club Challenge back in 1976.

They also got the better of the Saints in 2003 with a 38-0 win at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium and comfortably won the World Series game in 2016.

Woolf said: “We are really excited about the opportunity to face the Roosters in such a prestigious fixture.

“It will be a great challenge for us to test ourselves against the current World Club Champions and we are aiming to stand up and represent Super League and this part of the world in what will be a huge game.”

Roosters Head Coach Trent Robinson stressed how important the World Club Challenge is for the rugby league calendar and said his side was looking forward to heading to England to compete for the 2020 title.

Roosters are the current champions, having defeated the Wigan Warriors 8– 20 in Wigan last year.

Robert Elstone, Super League Executive Chairman, was equally excited.

He said: “Saints dominated our competition in 2019 and we know they will relish the opportunity to test themselves against the best in the NRL.

“I’m already starting to look forward to seeing some of the best rugby league players in the world.

“I know Saints fans will be really excited about hosting the Roosters, and I’m certain all rugby league fans across the UK will want to see the greats of our game going toe to toe.

“Thank you to both clubs for their commitment to the fixture, thank you to the Super League clubs for supporting the event and thank you to Betfred for investing in the 2020 showpiece.”

Tickets will go on sale for the match to Saints 2020 Members at midday today, Tuesday 12 November.

Members have until 5pm, Tuesday 10 December to secure their seat or place before General Sale.

The WCC game will mean that Saints' home fixture against Catalans will have to be moved until later in the season.