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Rain teems down in the west of Sydney.

Saints get us going and the Panthers get first dibs.

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The rise of Penrith Panthers over recent seasons is a tribute to the coaching of Ivan Cleary and in a huge part down to the academy system at the foot of the Blue Mountains.

Ivan's son Nathan came through that system, but his emergence is far from nepotism. He's proved himself a world-class half.

His partner in that axis was alongside him all the way. Jarome Luai also progressed, playing a major role for club, and country Samoa who he guided to the World Cup final late last year.

Chuck in smart recruitment and you've got a recipe for success.

There is punch provided by James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota, although barnstorming back-row Villiame Kikau was prised away to the Bulldogs - that's the salary cap for you.

Out wide, Brian To'o and Taylan May can deliver. Saints have been warned.

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NRL sides have dominated recent World Club Challenge fixtures, winning seven of the past eight, with Wigan registering the last Super League success when they beat Cronulla at the DW Stadium in 2017.

Australian pundits are predicting a big win for back-to-back NRL premiers Penrith, but St Helens prop Alex Walmsley has suggested that might be a little premature.

"We're not that bothered [by predictions]," Walmsley said. "We're really proud of who we are as a team, and what we are, and our achievements. Proud of our league as well.

"I'd like to think we've got some respect out here considering what we've achieved and the personnel within our team and squad, but ultimately all we can do is do our talking on the pitch. That will be our intention.

"We are on the different side of the world, a different environment, the NRL is obviously the superior league in terms of finances and infrastructure. But, we are very proud of Super League and what we are as a sport back home."

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Penrith are very strong for this one. Big pack, marshalled by the skilful loose-forward Isaah Yeo, and plenty of craft in the halves in Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. No Dylan Edwards at full-back, so the useful Stephen Crichton steps in there instead.

St Helens nothing to sniff at either. Jack Welsby back at full-back with a fit-again Lewis Dodd back prompting in the halves alongside Jonny Lomax. It's fair to say Alex Walmsley will be on the Penrith tip-sheet. What a battle it'll be between him, the mobile Matty Lees and hulking Agnatius Paasi off the bench - and those Panthers middles...

Penrith: Crichton; May, Tago, Turuva, To'o; Luai, Cleary; Leota, Kenny, Fisher-Harris, Garner, Hosking, Yeo

Ints: Cogger, Eisenhuth, Leniu, Salmon (Smith)

St Helens: Welsby; Makinson, Hurrell, Percival, Hopoate; Lomax, Dodd; Walmsley, Roby, Lees, Mata'utia, Sironen, Knowles

Ints: Lussick, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Paasi, Wingfield (Bell)

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St Helens were there right at the start of the concept, when they took on Eastern Suburbs - now known as the Sydney Roosters - in a challenge match back in 1976.

That game sowed a seed for a rivalry which has ebbed and flowed over the years, kickstarted in 1987 by a bruising thriller which Wigan earned over Manly, and thrusting new life into the game dubbed 'World Club Challenge'.

Saints were among a number of teams - including Bradford and Leeds - to score National Rugby League scalps. Wins over Brisbane Broncos in 2001 and 2007 saw Super League clinch the prize.

However, their last appearances have seen defeats by Souths and the Roosters - albeit earning credit for their display against the latter in the last game back in 2020.

Penrith - once dubbed the 'chocolate soldiers' on account of their old colours and old fragility on the pitch - had to wait until 1991 for their first title in the old Australian Rugby League.

That earned them a crack at Wigan, and defeat at Anfield. They were also beaten by Bradford in 2004, having shocked the Roosters the previous season.

This trophy eludes them. Will it today?

Welcome then, at this early hour, for a humdinger of a game in prospect.

St Helens have dominated Super League over the past four seasons, Penrith have been Grand Finalists three years in a row and won it two years in succession.

Two teams most deserving of the right to call themselves the best. Today will settle who claws that mantle.

England and Australia's rivalry is one of the great exchanges in sport.

Down under, in the metropolises of Sydney and Brisbane, that means two things: cricket and rugby league.

It is the same feeling held by proud cities and towns across the north of England, where the 13-man code is the big draw.

Today it is the turn of two club sides representing their nations, their competitions and their town.

Penrith Panthers. St Helens.

The right to be called the best in the world.