SHAUN McRae has been reflecting on the wind of change that has blown through Knowsley Road since last season.

WHITTLE: With six players coming and seven going over the past few months, do you believe these moves are a case of change for the sake of change or borne out of sheer necessity?

McRAE: When you and I broke off last October I said that, despite Saints' Cup success, time was ripe for change and that has happened and I believe the fresh air philosophy will be for the better. Some of the transfers were more complicated than others, but the incoming players have injected a new wave of enthusiasm and competition into the club. It's perhaps a cliche, but I think the Saints 24-man squad is bigger, stronger and faster than last season, and now it is up to us to demonstrate this in the war of attriction which Super League III is certain to be. I can tell supporters that Paul Davidson, Brett Goldspink and Paul Atcheson have reached peak fitness, and that is now the case with Chris Smith, who has been troubled with a stomach muscle injury. Record signing Paul Sculthorpe has also settled in well after being here just a month, and shows remarkable maturity for a lad who is just 20 years old. So the omens are good after three months of gruelling preparation - now it is question of wait and see. WHITTLE: Media reports have stated that Saints' latest signing Damien Smith was sacked by St. George for disciplinary reasons involving drink. How much truth is there in that?

McRAE: The facts are that St. George had previously issued a warning about excessive drinking to their players and Smith celebrated Australia Day on January 26 a little too much, and was deemed unfit to train the next morning. His contract was terminated after what I believe was an isolated incident, and it was while speaking on the telephone to Tim Sheens about another player that I learned that Damien fancied coming to England. Saints than moved fast to bring a utility back to Knowsley Road who scored 12 tries in 17 games for St George last season. After the hassle we endured regarding Jamie Ojelnik I thought the game's ruling body might have stretched a point in allowing Saints to register Smith for the Challenge Cup, but the chance is a slim one.

WHITTLE: Have Saints' given up the ghost on signing Ojelnik?

McRAE: Not at all. The current situation is that Jamie has joined Manly for this season, but Saints will be examining their options on the player for 1999.

WHITTLE: What are you hopes and aspirations for this, the final season of your existing contract?

McRAE: First of all it must be remembered that there only two cups at stake this time, with the Super League Trophy this year be awarded to the team winning the Grand Final and not the side finishing top. Saints' immediate aim will be to qualify for the unique top-five play-off at the end of the Super League programme. With regard to the Challenge Cup, Saints will be under even greater pressure as they seek to make it three wins in succession - all I ask is that we have a fair crack of the whip injury-wise! As for my future at Knowsley Road I would love to stay here, but that is a matter for the board of directors. WHITTLE: Has the switch of training sessions to Edge Hill University College been a success?

McRAE: Undoubtedly! Its state-of-the-art facilities include an athletics track, all-weather playing fields, swimming pool and a small gymnasium - all this plus a staff who have made the Saints' squad very welcome three days per week. However we have not entirely deserted Knowsley Road, because physiotherapist Janette Smith still tends to the bumps and bruises there and the gym beneath the main stand continues to be used for weight training.

WHITTLE: No doubt you have been warned but Fev at Post Office Road might prove a banana skin for Saints, so the message is 'be prepared' don't you think?

McRAE: Never having been to Featherstone with Saints, Rovers' giant-killing deeds of the past are very much hearsay to me but yes, we are ready. As for my line-up your selection will not be far of the mark ie Atcheson; Smith, Haigh, Newlove, Sullivan; Martyn, Goulding; Leathem, Cunningham, Goldspink, Perelini, Joynt, Sculthorpe. Substitutes from Stewart, Long, Anderson, Pickavance, O'Neill.

Don't worry, I won't blame you if it misfires!

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