Image source, SWPIX.COM

So, St Helens win the Super League season opener at the Totally Wicked Stadium, beating Leeds by just two points in a game of drama and tension.

You can read Phil Shepka's match report here.

The first-half was relentless, the second-half more packed with drama than quality but still much excitement, and a taste of things to come from Super League and rugby league in general throughout 2017.

You can follow it all on BBC Sport with live radio commentaries, the Super League Show and match reports, features, video and more from the BBC Sport website.

Thanks for joining us for this opening game, the tone has been set. It's going to be some season.

Good night.

BBC Radio 5 live extra will have full commentary of Castleford v Leigh (20:00 GMT) tomorrow night, one of two Friday night games along with Widnes v Huddersfield (20:00).

Salford v Wigan (13:15 GMT) and Catalans v Warrington (17:00 GMT) take place on Saturday, with Wakefield v Hull (15:00 GMT) finishing round one off on Sunday.

St Helens head coach Keiron Cunningham speaking to Sky Sports:

"It was a classic, we didn't do ourselves justice in first-half, but when we went set for set we dominated them.

"We had a chat at half-time and the boys came out strong, put things right, hard fought and ground out victory.

"Our skill wasn't right on the money but we hung in there for each other."

St Helens half-back Theo Fages speaking to Sky Sports:

"I'm really proud of the boys today.

"It's been a long preseason, and the first home game we wanted to play well, and I thought we did.

"Our defence was strong in the first half, it was 6-4, without many tries but it was good from both teams. Our defence won us the game"

How fitting that France half-back Theo Fages won this game for St Helens because he was omnipresent. He tackled, he kicked, he prompted, he probed and he created. The pressure was on with an inexperienced partner in Danny Richardson but he stood up and took the mantle.

Saints showed character to come back from Joel Moon's try to win it, with a huge defensive display.

Leeds Rhinos battled hard and were so close on occasion, notably when Liam Sutcliffe was denied close in. But for the second year running, they have lost the opener.

Ryan Hall runs out into touch, tries to shuffle the ball infield but he's out and St Helens I think have done enough.

Leeds will lose this by narrow margins. But lose it they will.

Leeds get to tackle five and work the ball all across the line trying to find a gap but Saints stay with them throughout.

Play eventually shut down. Saints have a two points lead and two minutes to go...

Luke Thompson has dropped the ball and Leeds have a chink of light, a glimmer of hope. Scrum on half-way. Rhinos need something special from this set.

Jordan Baldwinson has already been involved in a humdinger this season with Featherstone against Halifax last week, and he's entered the fray here.

Leeds coughed the ball up within 20 metres of the St Helens line. We're inside the final five minutes.

Amusing to watch Ryan Hall teasing the ball out like a half-back before straightening up and kicking ahead. Channelling his inner-Johnathan Thurston.

Does pose a question about Leeds' creativity though, if a winger is running the last tackle option.

Alex Walmsley is playing like a man possessed. He's taking carry after carry. Leeds just about cope though and their outside backs are taking the game to the home team.

Tense final eight minutes.

Leeds denied by a forward pass in the build up, Stevie Ward's pass to Liam Sutcliffe went ahead of the play.

Sutcliffe fizzed forward and chipped over the top but it was brought back. No go. Back for a Saints scrum.

Image source, Rex Features

Ashton Golding passes another kicking test as Saints pepper him with a raking ball through, off the boot of Jon Wilkin.

Adam Swift took his name to extremes with a thunderous chase but Golding gathered and found the turf in the field of play.

Leeds currently camped in their half though.

Really smart play by Joel Moon, popping a grubber through to turn Saints round, who force a drop out.

Rob Burrow was teasing his way out to the left for Leeds, popped to Moon and he has got some reward.

Brilliant tackle by Ash Golding on Tommy Makinson stops the winger from cutting Leeds to ribbons.

Saints then go wide to Adam Swift but he can't draw the ball in.

Blast of class to wake us, it was just starting to get a little ragged there.

Image source, Rex Features

I went for Leeds by two in the tipping. On course to start the season on a downer, as usual.

One thing I didn't account for was Saints coping really well without Matty Smith.

Daniel Richardson looks smart and composed despite his relative inexperience. Players can sink or swim in these situations and he's swimming nicely.

Image source, Rex Features

Almost up to the hour and this game is still in the balance, still open, still could go any way.

That is just what the Rugby Football League, fans, broadcasters and players want. Competitive games.

Final quarter - what have you got for us??

Jimmy Keinhorst is on, moving off the mark perhaps with his first touch there having come on.

Phil Bentham pulled a Saints player a moment ago and had to remain consistent.

Sloppy from Leeds, a few metres from the Saints line.

Image source, Rex Features

Greenwood looks OK, which is a boost. Leeds going back to basics now, with some simple drives looking for field position.

Saints do seem to have the game by the scruff of its neck at present.

Leeds being made to graft hard in this second-half. Pretty much all Saints.

Some smart work by Ashton Golding helps them out of danger deep in Rhinos territory.

It's setting the standard for rugby league in 2017 so far this fixture. And it's only game one!