Hull at full strength for opening day at St Helens

Having been haunted by huge injury problems for the majority of his 20 months in charge at the KC, Agar is almost picking from full strength as the Airlie Birds head to St Helens for their opening Super League encounter of the new season.

Only winger Mark Calderwood is unavailable but ex-Australian Test hooker Shaun Berrigan makes a timely return from a long-term shoulder injury, adding to the strength provided by new recruits Mark O'Meley, Craig Fitzgibbon, Jordan Turner and – on his first return to Saints – Sean Long.

All the pre-match talk has been about Long's return, the former Great Britain scrum-half having switched to Hull after 13 trophy-laden years at Knowsley Road.

As captain, Long will be hoping to enjoy a winning debut against his former employers who are still smarting having lost the last three Grand Finals.

"Some have suggested it is a good time to play Saints but I don't necessarily agree," said Agar.

"They can use that as a bit of motivation. They will be keen to show they are still one of the best teams in the league. We've trained and practised well and feel we are in a good position.

"The players, the club and the fans have managed to create a bit of momentum for ourselves and we want to get on the back of that and go in all guns blazing."

Hull KR are without Super League Dream Team member Ben Galea as they start off against Salford City Reds at Craven Park.

The Australian second row picked up a knee injury in a trial match against Bradford last week while the Robins are also still awaiting the arrival of new signing Joel Clinton, which could pave the way for an outing by teenage prop Liam Watts.

Mike Ratu, Matt Cook and Josh Hodgson are hoping to make their Robins debuts.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats bid to follow up Saturday's win at Harlequins when they entertain Catalans Dragons.

They give a late fitness test to hooker Terry Newton on a bicep injury, while former Hull prop Paul King, who has yet to make his debut, and Kyle Bibb are vying to replace the suspended Richard Moore.