Right, so here we go. Already dusted down the long-johns and re-fleeced the thermal vest ready for the delights of the Knowsley Road press bench and a whole new season reporting the ‘B’ game.
Yes that’s right. Whilst the eyes of the RL world are on the Wigan-Warrington slug fest (will Mr Morley see JJB red again?), my first outing of the season is the Saints-Quins game; the home-opener for the SLXI Grand Final winning Saints. 
As openers go it’s looking pretty low-key though.
The Saints are likely missing a quartet of stars Lee Gilmour (nose), Paul Wellens (ankle), Paul Sculthorpe (knee) and Jon Wilkin (rush of blood vs Giants).
Although they will at least be able to welcome back the irreprisible Willie Talau at centre.
No news yet though on which player has won the weekly goal-kicking lottery. We can however scotch rumours that the Saints have tempted Paul Anderson (100% conversion rate) out of his brief retirement.
As for the Quins, a troubled off-season looks to have left coach, Brian McDermott, with a lighter, weaker squad than last year.
The loss of Solomon Haumono and the ‘yes-no-about-face’ by Sione Faumuina has left the Quin pack looking vulnerable. They are low on strike power too after the departure of top-scorer, Luke Dorn, to Salford City Reds.
And even with my factor-90 rose-tinted Quin-glasses on I cannot believe that Wigan didn’t get the cream of the deal when the two clubs effectively swapped half backs (Thomas Leulai for Danny Orr).
Sadly, I think the best the Quins can hope for in SLXII is another season in the ‘Twilight Zone‘ — hovering between ‘playoff flirts‘ and ‘relegation bait‘.
If injury doubt, Mark McLinden (back), does indeed miss out then this looks set to be a rough and long night for the Quins.
And judging from Thursday’s weather warning maybe a better option would be to leave the charabanc in the shed and mail it in with the old “we’re snowed-in” ruse.
Forecast: Saints by 10
Key Matchup: Even without their four stars the Saints look to have the edge from 1 to 13.
Current Form: – - – - – W Saints V Quins – - – - – -
Fan-o-meter: One for diehard homesters and eskimos only. Travel North at your peril (unless you’re an exiled Saints fan).
ibridge
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