WIN or lose, it will be an emotional evening at Saints tonight with departing players signing off for the last time at home.

Although a lot of the talk this past few weeks has been about superstar Ben Barba's return to the NRL, the club will also be saying farewell to long-serving former skipper Jon Wilkin after a tumultuous 16 years in the red vee.

Since joining from Hull KR in 2002 Wilkin has made more than 400 appearances in the red vee, scoring 94 times.

But his teammates say the versatile back-rower's contribution goes way beyond those statistics.

Successor as skipper James Roby said: “Jon is a legend in my eyes.

“He has given everything and more for the club.

“If there is anyone who deserves to go out with a win it is him.

“I will be doing everything I can as a friend and teammate to get Jon’s hands on that trophy.

“He has been here longer than any of us – a year longer than me. It will be sad to see him leave but this is rugby, players move on.

“Wilko is a battler, a warrior who has given everything he has got to the club for 16 years and hopefully he goes out in the right way.”

That view was echoed by half back Jonny Lomax who has valued Wilkin’s professionalism and commitment.

Lomax said: “What Wilko has brought for myself and the club has been fantastic.

“The 16 years he has done can never be talked up highly enough and what he achieved in his career and to still be doing it at a high level and be one of the top loose forwards on the competition.

“It is not just his hard work and ability but also his professionalism to do the right things.

“He is still up there as one of the fittest in the club and you can't talk too highly about that.

“In play it his contribution to our combination; Wilko keeps the line direct and square, something I like to play off the back of.

“It is going to be an emotional day when it is his time to go.

“He sometimes come under scrutiny - but if you look back and see what he has achieved in a 16-year career and he is still doing it, then hats off to him.

“That sort of career should be celebrated by everyone in the stadium regardless of what happens this week.”

Tommy Makinson, too, has benefited from Wilkin’s leadership and guidance over the years.

“We need to send Wilko off with a bang because if there is one bloke that deserves it is him because he puts his life and soul into the club

“He has given his life to the club for such a long time and it will be special for him.

“Since Wello retired, Wilko has been Mr St Helens and bleeds the club.

“He has been a great player,” he said.