Interview - Sean Long: Sorcerer Long aiming to keep apprentice under his spell

After 13 golden years with the same club – long in the tooth as well as in name – moving onto new employers was always going to pose plenty of difficulties.

But when those mischievous fixture planners decided his opening Super League fixture with the Airlie Birds would be back at St Helens, the pressure suddenly increased.

Fortunately, the former Great Britain scrum-half is someone who thrives in such circumstances; the bigger the test, generally the better he performs.

"As soon as the fixtures came out I found out straight away," said Long, ahead of tomorrow night's emotional return to Knowsley Road.

"Wello (Paul Wellens) texted me saying 'Guess who we've got first game?'

"I knew then. They've been a bit cheeky doing that but it'll be a great game.

"I'm looking forward to it. I lie in bed thinking about it. There's a danger I'll play rubbish if I let the occasion get to me so I'm just going to try and play my normal game and block everything out."

Long is a legend at St Helens where he won every honour in the club game but, at 33 and wanting a new two-year deal, coach Mick Potter refused to yield.

Hull's Richard Agar moved swiftly to bring one of Super League's most exceptional talents to East Yorkshire and the player admits the move has given him a new lease of life.

Installed as captain, he will lead them out in their opening match of the season tomorrow hoping habit does not see him wander into the wrong dressing room.

"I have been in the away ones before," he said. "Years ago they painted them pink. It was Ian Millward's idea to wind the opposition up but, hopefully, they're not like that now.

"They're not the best facilities at Saints, certainly compared to Hull's."

A little pre-match dig. Long has always known how to infuriate opposition either through the sheer magnitude of his skills or his equally confident, some would say cocky, demeanour.

But tomorrow, as well as hoping to revitalise Hull's fortunes after a couple of years of under-performance, he will be equally aware of the threat from the man directly opposite him.

Part of the reason Potter was so at ease letting Long go was the knowledge he had the perfect long-term replacement waiting in the wings.

Twenty-year-old Kyle Eastmond dazzled while standing in for Long last year but was equally as exciting operating from centre or full-back.

Such versatility allied to match-winning pace saw him play in all England's Four Nations matches where he eventually commanded the No 7 jersey. Eastmond now has Long's peg in the Saints dressing room and all eyes will be on the intriguing battle between the sorcerer and his former apprentice.

"I know how good Kyle is," admitted Long. "With training against him all the time, it's easy to see.

"We'll have our hands full. As for how good he can become, I know he can turn into a very good player as long as he's playing behind a good pack.

"Every half-back needs that and Saints do have one.

"Kyle's a really fine footballer and we all realise how lightning quick he is. Hopefully, he'll be a bit rusty in the first game."

Part of a stellar triumvirate including Paul Sculthorpe and Keiron Cunningham, Long inspired Saints to a host of Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge titles.

Sculthorpe will not be facing him tomorrow, having retired, but Cunningham and the likes of other Saints heroes – Wellens, Leon Pryce, Matt Gidley and James Roby – will be there to greet their former colleague as well as the supporters who once adored him.

"Hopefully, the fans will be all right and I'll get a decent reception," said Long, realising he could become the pantomime villain.

"Leaving was amicable on both sides. It was purely a matter of length of contract. Saints, as they do, wanted to go with youth and you can't fault them for that.

"It will be a bit strange walking out there but I know every blade of grass on that pitch and I'm a Hull player now. I'll be going out there to turn Saints over."

Hull finished outside of the play-offs for a second year running last season. Their fans expect more and the recruitment of Long is seen as the vital last cog in the machine.

With former Australian Test forwards Craig Fitzgibbon and Mark O'Meley also on board, he will not have any concerns about playing behind the Hull pack, and is not preparing any excuses about early-season teething problems.

"This is a big game for us," Long insisted. "Saints finished second last year so they are the second best team in the comp.

"It's a good test for us to find out where we're at."

He could not resist another minor jab at his former club, questioning whether Saints have the squad quality to overturn three consecutive Grand Final losses to Leeds Rhinos.

"On paper, their first 17 is as good as you get," he said.

"But if Saints have any injuries I think they'll struggle a little.

"They're a bit light in the pack and will have to rely on the young lads.

"They've got some good ones, obviously, but they are going to have to step up to the mark whereas at Hull we've got good strength in depth, especially in the forwards.

"We could take a couple of injuries and still be a really good team."