St Helens: Lomax; Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Swift; Fages, Richardson; Amor, Lee, Douglas, Greenwood, Peyroux, Wilkin

Interchanges: Walmsley, Roby, Thompson, Knowles.

Leeds Rhinos: Golding; Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall; Sutcliffe, Burrow; Garbutt, Parcell, Cuthbertson, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Singleton

Interchanges: Ward, Keinhorst, Mullally, Baldwinson

Leeds half-back Danny McGuire will spend his evening watching the game from the stands, not a 'Totally Wicked' night for him.

Frustrating stuff, for a fine player who missed much of last term. Matty Smith, Saints' new signing, will do similar after breaking his leg in preseason. Such a shame that both these quality players are absent tonight.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

To get to 500 games of top level rugby league is a remarkable achievement in itself. To do so at 5ft 5in tall, little over 11 stones in weight amongst the rough and tumble is even more impressive.

Rob Burrow, the little man of Super League, has been a shining example of ability, belief and spirit throughout his career. His try, coincidentally against St Helens in the 2011 Grand Final, was everything that Burrow has been about in his career. Crafty, speedy, thrilling to watch. 

He's loyal in his service to Leeds, he's a gentleman to interview. Congratulations to the former England international on this landmark evening.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

Wakefield have made some astute signings, bringing in Canberra half-back Sam Williams, and from Huddersfield two experienced campaigners in Scott Grix and Craig Huby. 

Chris Chester is a good man who built a decent side last season, the next step is to build on that.

Hull FC have made two smart signings in Huddersfield centre Jake Connor, and Salford's Josh Griffin. Both have a bit of size, pace and skill. Kicking games too. 

They won the Challenge Cup in 2016 and will be looking to add further honours amid the increased expectations in the west of the city.

Image source, Getty Images

There is pressure again on Catalans, with some major names leaving, but also plenty of top players arriving.

 Luke Burgess has headed for Perpignan, as has former New South Wales and Australia back-rower Greg Bird. Their leadership could be pivotal for the Dragons.

Warrington were last year's nearly men. However, they have too strengthened well with front-rowers Mike Cooper and Dom Crosby added, in addition to Kevin Brown's skill and leadership. 

Tony Smith's side look well placed again, notably when players like Chris Hill, Ben Currie and Daryl Clark all continue to impress.

Image source, Swpix.com

It's a big season for Salford who escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth in the Million Pound Game.

Lee Mossop has come in and could face his former club on his debut. Lama Tasi has also come in to add some steel, something that head coach Ian Watson says his new recruits have addressed.

Champions Wigan have pressure on their shoulders but their new signings Thomas Leuluai and Joe Burgess know the club well and are quality. 

Shaun Wane's side are bidding to win back-to-back Grand Finals for the first time in the summer era. Getting off to a good start will help.

Image source, Swpix.com

Widnes' hopes have been dealt a blow in pre-season before a tackle had been made, when first Kevin Brown left for rivals Warrington, and then fellow half-back Joe Mellor was injured. 

They've still plenty of quality though, particularly in Rhys Hanbury and prolific winger Corey Thompson.

Huddersfield will be desperate to improve on their 2016 showing. They finished in the bottom four, limped through the Qualifiers but did enough to preserve their top tier place. Danny Brough, Ryan Brierley and new signing Jake Mamo will be key to their attacking threat, but they've had a fair turnover. 

Can Rick Stone work his magic? Time will tell.

Image source, swpix.com

There are few better atmospheres than a night match at the Jungle, and with Leigh the visitors to Castleford, it promises to be a cracking evening.

Cas are arguably as strong looking as ever, with a fit again Michael Shenton, Zak Hardaker back under former Featherstone mentor Daryl Powell and some impressive signings like Jesse Sene-Lafao and Greg Eden.

Leigh have also recruited well. They showed their class in the Super 8s last season in beating three of the four Super League teams, as well as giving Warrington a scare the year before in the Challenge Cup. They won't be here to make up the numbers.

Let's have a look at what else lies in wait this weekend for the opening round of the Super League season.

Friday, 10 February

Castleford Tigers v Leigh Centurions (20:00 GMT)

Widnes Vikings v Huddersfield Giants (20:00 GMT)

Saturday, 11 February

Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors (13:15 GMT)

Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves (17:00 GMT)

Sunday, 12 February

Wakefield Trinity v Hull FC

Don't forget there's Radio 5 live commentary tonight with Dave Woods, Iestyn Harris and Brian Noble - presented by George Riley from 19:00 GMT.

Listen by clicking the commentary link at the top of this page.

Our commentary team have done us a special preview for tonight's game. Watch by clicking below.

The beauty of the start of the new season is that we can all dream. We can all ponder, contemplate and visualise our captain lifting the big trophy aloft at Old Trafford in October...

Only one team gets that pleasure.

With that mind then, I want your three word predictions for your club. For example, for Castleford it could be: 'Classy Cas champs'. Or Widnes: 'Brown no miss'. Or Catalans: 'Top-four finish'.

Go.

Use #bbcrl on Twitter

Image source, SWPIX.COM

For Leeds Rhinos, the past winter has been one of reflection. 2017 is a new slate.

Take 2016. Twelve months earlier they had conquered all before them with a treble of trophy wins capped by their Grand Final success against Wigan.

However, it became a season of discontent for Brian McDermott's side. Shorn of stars like Danny McGuire through injury, they struggled for much of the campaign before rallying late on - inspired by James Segeyaro to secure their safety. 

"We're a great team, we didn't become a bad team overnight, certain things happened and we didn't play well as well," head coach McDermott told BBC Sport.

His side has kept much of the same personnel, although Segeyaro opted to remain in Australia and in his place the Rhinos have signed Manly hooker Matt Parcell.

"We've got things we need to prove to ourselves," added McDermott. "We're not going to circle the wagons, that is an easy option going into the season.

"There was no need for a major overhaul, just because of what went on."

Image source, Swpix.com

St Helens' big winter signing saw Wigan half-back Matty Smith bob his way over the Billinge bump and return to his first club... but a broken leg in his first trial game ended his hopes of starting the season.

The loss of such a key component on the cusp of the new campaign would surely have given head coach Keiron Cunningham a bit of a headache?

"You adapt and overcome. That's what great Saints sides do," Cunningham told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It would affect anyone who brought in a lead half-back and lost them in round one, but we have plenty of good players out there."

Cunningham has tasted the intensity of a Saints-Leeds game from his own playing career - and appreciates the significance.

"You can't beat a tough game, we'll showcase the competition," he added.

"Both sides want to win and score points. Both can attack."

St Helens: Lomax; Makinson, Morgan, Percival, Swift; Fages, Richardson; Amor, Lee, Douglas, Greenwood, Peyroux, Wilkin

Interchanges: Walmsley, Roby, Thompson, Knowles.

Leeds Rhinos: Golding; Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall; Sutcliffe, Burrow; Garbutt, Parcell, Cuthbertson, Jones-Buchanan, Ablett, Singleton

Interchanges: Ward, Keinhorst, Mullally, Baldwinson

As George points out in his tweet above, there's no Danny McGuire tonight. He'll be desperate to return after making just 10 appearances in 2016. Not tonight though.

This is where those multiple reps of burpees, hill sprints and monster weight sessions prove their worth.*

Players who have tired of the sight of another bench press, another deadlift or another sled push, can now put that physical training to good use.

It's all about the games now. Starting with St Helens v Leeds tonight. Bring it on.

*I've done none of the above. Sorry.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

Super League returns from its winter hiatus with a bang, as the curtain comes up on two famous heavyweights - St Helens and Leeds Rhinos.

There are few fixtures quite so iconic as this one. Four times it's been a Grand Final meeting like the one above in 2011, while the pair have 19 Old Trafford appearances between them in the summer era.

In a year that will end in a World Cup, there is much to play for all 12 teams over the next months.

And it starts right here tonight, at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Totally apt for this great sport.