IT doesn’t get much bigger than this – Saints versus Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge final!

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports and Channel 4 early on Saturday morning, and I’ve absolutely no doubts it will be a cracker.

The Betfred Super League champions go into this on the back of a morale-boosting 30-18 triumph over St George Illawarra last weekend.

That was only a pre-season friendly, but Saints looked the far superior team, steaming into a 10-0 lead through tries by Lewis Dodd and Jack Welsby after great work from James Roby and Tommy Makinson respectively.

Some poor defensive moments from the boys allowed St George back into the game, scoring a couple of tries before Makinson squeezed over in the corner to give Saints a 16-12 half-time lead.

The second half saw Paul Wellens give some of his young players a run-out, and didn’t they do well?

Tries from Joey Lussick and a flying Tee Ritson saw the Saints defeat the Aussies by 30-18 and head to Penrith in great confidence.

The aforementioned Ritson has certainly made an impact since his arrival on a year-long loan from Barrow.

The Thailand-born speedster proved yet again that you don’t have to come through an academy system to make it in the top-flight.

He will have certainly given Wello something to think about as he ponders his team to face the back-to-back NRL Premiers.

One guy who is an absolute cert – skipper James Roby, who continues to lead from the front with both his performances and team talks.

Robes’ experience of playing in World Club Challenge finals and big games in general will be paramount in how Saints perform on Saturday.

So, how do we beat Penrith (1/10 favourites with Betfred to win on Saturday)?

Firstly, I think we have to be near-perfect, both with the ball and defensively. We must respect the quality of this Penrith team BUT give them absolutely nothing.

I want to see the big men in Walmsley, Lees, Knowles and co tear in from the start and show the Panthers they’re in for a tough day.

Ultimately, it’s England vs Australia – and the intensity should match that.

We need to play football and ask questions of their defence, but with clinical, high-quality skill. We can’t afford to be turning over the ball and losing field position against this quality of opposition.

Penrith have some of the best players in the sport with the likes of Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris and their talisman Nathan Cleary. BUT, any team is beatable and with the quality in this Saints team anything can happen.

I’m staying loyal and going for a Saints win by two or more points (13/2 at Betfred).

Finally, we’ve got the Betfred Super League opener between Warrington Wolves-Leeds Rhinos on Thursday.

I wasn’t convinced by either of these two in their pre-season friendlies, but I am going to say Leeds will open up the season with a 6pt+ victory over the Wire (7/4 at Betfred).