THE last time Saints signed a Pontefract-born England international centre he was dropped off at the ground by a Securicor van in front of an array of awaiting cameras and media.

But in sharp contrast to the hullabaloo that greeted Paul Newlove’s arrival 15 years ago, Michael Shenton has quietly slipped in and is already three weeks into some gruelling pre-season training.

Although the 24-year-old recruit from Castleford Tigers is not over-awed by the challenge facing him, he is fully aware of the footsteps he is walking in.

In time he will realise the terrace tendency to compare every new Australian centre to Mal Meninga or Jamie Lyon and judge every Englishman against the high benchmark set by lethal strike centre Newlove in Saints’ early summer era success.

Shenton, who has signed up on a three year deal and replaces Matt Gidley, said: “It is pretty scary when you think of the guys who have worn this Saints shirt before me.

“So I have really not got to think about that – just think about my own game and how I can improve that and keep working hard and get better.

“ Already I am working on fresh skills to sharpen my game up.

“There is no good trying to emulate those guys (Newlove and Lyon). They were so gifted – probably just freaks in a way.”

Time will tell. There are some physical similarities to Newlove, with Shenton tall for a centre at 6ft 4 but possessing good, nimble footwork and a turn of pace.

He showed that on the recent Four Nations tour with his scintillating break leading to England’s best try of an otherwise disappointing series.

Remarkably that break was made despite him suffering ruptured ankle ligaments earlier in the match – an injury that terminated his tour.

Although Saints’ other international players only resumed training on Monday, Shenton came back early to allow the staff to assess his recovery from injury and to get to know his new teammates.

“The boys and coaching staff really made me feel at home straight away.

“They are a good set of lads – right up my street because when it comes down to the hard work they knuckle down and get on with it,” he said.

Shenton already knew players like James Roby, James Graham, Jon Wilkin, Paul Wellens, Kyle Eastmond, Scott Moore and fellow new signing Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook from beinginvolved with the England set up since 2008.

That was also one of the deal-clinchers when it came to selecting his destination when he finally decided to leave Castleford.

“Knowing those England guys for a few years and seeing how they played and their attitude to rugby was one of the attractions.

“It was a big part in why I chose Saints – but I also want to be winning trophies and getting to finals,” he said.

Shenton scored 93 tries in 153 appearances for the Tigers since making his debut as a 17-year-old in May 2004.

That sort of form constantly saw him being linked with a move away from the Jungle throughout his time there – but this time he felt it was right to move although he still found it difficult.

Shenton explained: “It was tough leaving Cas but a lot of people outside just don’t understand that.

“But Cas, like St Helens, is just a rugby town and is rugby league to its core. So yes, it was very difficult.

“I have got some great memories of the place and made a lot of friends there but I am ready for a change and St Helens is the club for me.”

Echoing what fellow new recruit McCarthy-Scarsbrook told the Star two weeks ago, Shenton felt Saints were about to embark on a new era and that it was an exciting time to be donning the red vee.

“It is not just that St Helens is so famous – it is also the new start, new coach, new ground and training facilities so I could not really have picked a better time to come over.

“The other guys have said there is a little bit of a fresh buzz about the place.

“Everyone is pumped up and ready to go.

“So far there has been a big emphasis on defence in training because we want to get back to being top dogs on that front again after dropping off in last couple of years.

“The guys want to get better. If we want to win the trophies we have got to be able to do the hard stuff, and defence is just that and that is a massive part of the pre-season programme,” he said.

Fans will be able to meet Michael Shenton at Saints’ town centre store on Saturday from 1pm.