NEW full back Lachlan Coote believes big match experience could be a handy addition to Saints side looking to take those important next steps to silverware.

The 28-year-old, who steps into the boots vacated by last year's Steve Prescott Man of Steel Ben Barba, has signed a three-year deal at the Saints.

And coach Justin Holbrook believes his addition, combined with that of fellow new recruits Joseph Paulo and Kevin Naiqama, can add something to the mix of a team that finished top of the pile last year but had only the League Leaders to show for it.

The Scottish international full back, who has been part of the North Queensland Cowboys spine featuring Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston, will bring his left-foot kicking game into new surroundings.

He said: "In the four out of five years I was with the Cowboys I was playing semi-final football.

"In that time we were part of two Grand Finals, hopefully with having experienced that I can bring that over here.

"It seems like that the last couple of years, from what I feel from the blokes, it has seen the team just striking out when it comes to the crunch.

"With the signing that we have got, we can turn it around and win those games."

He explained the reasons why he chose to up sticks and bring his wife and two young children 12,000 miles to set up in England, with the history of the club and the sales pitch from Holbrook helping persuade him.

"It was a bit of a change-up I guess. I had always heard a lot about St Helens - the club's history and their good fanbase as well.

"I had some good chats with Justin on the phone and he seemed like a good coach and a good person too.

"The footy is a lot freer and bit more exciting I guess - that is what I am looking forward to the most.

"Justin likes the players to sort of run free and try and do their own thing which I am looking forward to as well," he said.

Coote started following the club's fortunes during the back end of 2018 as soon as it was clear he was heading here, but he has been impressed with what he has found on his arrival.

And one player in particularly has impressed him in training.

"I have been surprised with young Theo Fages - he is like a young half, but an old soul.

"He knows what is going on and how to run things and I have been really surprised with how he goes about his business and am looking forward to taking the park with him," he said.