I’m sure it won’t surprise many in St Helens, or for that matter in RL that I’m backing Saints to be crowned Betfred Super League Champions for the FIFTH consecutive year.

Title sponsors Betfred obviously agree, as they make them 2/1 favourite to lift the trophy at Old Trafford come October.

I say this on the back of four years of success, and with hardly any comings and goings from the joy of 2022, I believe they are still far and away the strongest team.

Only one significant difference is that of head coach Paul Wellens, who aims to keep our triumphant run going from his predecessors Kristian Woolf and Justin Holbrook. As I said in previous columns, this is something he is more than capable.

His first challenge though comes way before any domestic competition, in the form of the World Club Challenge against the NRL’s Penrith Panthers a week on Saturday.

Prior to that, he will take charge of a warm-up against St George Illawarra this weekend.

This is an opportunity to implement any changes in the way Wello wants his team to play ahead, in the conditions they will face the following weekend.

I know speaking to Paul a few weeks ago, there will be subtle changes from the methods of Kristian Woolf, but nothing too drastic…’if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’!

However, I am really looking forward to seeing how the team respond under his leadership, and I must say after spending a day in training it looks and feels very slick.

Unsurprisingly, I think this season our biggest rivals will be the Wigan Warriors. Betfred are offering the current Betfred Challenge Cup holders at 10/3, followed by the Leeds Rhinos at 8/1.

One team who MUST do better than last season are Warrington. They are also joint third favourites at 8/1, although being at Ben Currie's Testimonial game vs Leigh on Saturday I’m not too convinced.

Now I know you can only read so much into pre-season games…but with a full strength squad barring Joe Philbin and Connor Wrench they looked far from title contenders again, as they struggled to a win over newly promoted Leigh Leopards.

There are a few teams outside of that top four who will fancy their chances of upsetting the odds but Huddersfield Giants have spent significantly in the off-season.

Also, the Catalan Dragons who have proven over the last few years that they are capable of beating anyone.

The interesting one for me is Hull FC who are now under the direction of the vastly experienced and successful Tony Smith, who has moved across the city from East to West.

One player they will be hoping a change of club will kick start his career is Jake Truman who joins from Castleford.

Departing the black and whites for the Huddersfield Giants is Jake Connor.

Regarded by a lot of people in the game as one of the most naturally gifted players.

For me he is someone who needs to now knuckle down and show far more discipline and consistency in his game on the effort based things that could genuinely make him one of the top players in the competition.

Betfred have the Salford Red Devils at 33/1 to win the Grand Final.

As we’ve seen in previous years, Paul Rowley’s men will compete for everything, and if they can be again led by the current Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Brodie Croft they will again cause some upsets.

New boys Leigh, favourites to finish bottom of the pile…will no doubt fight for everything as they did in the friendly against Warrington, but I worry about the strength in depth of their squad as the season progresses.

Likewise Wakefield, who have lost a number of their stars at the end of 2022, and I hope I’m wrong for my good mate Mark Applegarth who takes charge at Belle Vue but I think it could be a tough year.

So here is MY final standings - before the Betfred Super League opener between Warrington and Leeds on Thursday February 16 finally kicks things off!

1. Saints.

2. Wigan.

3. Huddersfield.

4. Leeds.

5. Warrington.

6. Catalans.

7. Hull.

8. Salford.

9. Hull KR.

10. Castleford.

11. Wakefield.

12. Leigh.