SAINTS travel to derby rivals Warrington Wolves on Friday night (7.45pm) looking to maintain a 100 per cent record.

It is a fixture that always seems to have an extra bit of crackle – and this one will be no different given the additional Ben Barba factor.

The on-song Australian full back turned down the Wolves and opted for Saints back in May.

And to add another ingredient Wolves are now bossed by Steve Price, who was assistant at Cronulla in 2016 when Barba helped the team win the NRL Premiership.

Barba reckons Price will do a good job at the Wolves.

“He’s worked under some of the best coaches in the NRL, including Wayne Bennett. I’m sure he will do a wonderful job at Warrington.

“Pricey’s a good coach and I found him really helpful for my career especially in my time at the Sharks,” Barba said.

The Wolves have had something of a patchy start to the campaign, beating Wigan and Widnes, but losing to Leeds, Huddersfield and Hull.

But Saints boss Justin Holbrook expects them to change under Price’s tutelage.

“He has already shown he wants a tough, hard working type of team,” Holbrook said.

“They have not won all of their games but they are competing hard in them all.

“Steve wants to get that work ethic in them, but they are a quality side that is for sure.

“It is one we respect a lot and it's going to be a tough game on Friday.”

Holbrook in particular singled out the Wolves pack which contains plenty of power.

“In Chris Hill, Mike Cooper and Ben Murdoch-Masila they have a pretty handy pack that will get better as the season goes on.

“I have been happy with our pack – but we know we will have to improve again on Friday,” Holbrook said.

Warrington will be without half back Declan Patton and prop Sitaleki Akauola due to suspension.