get the 'edge' Denis Whittle reports on the Knowsley Road scene

MINDFUL of soaring fitness standards demanded by the modern game, Saints have transferred their entire training programme to the futuristic sporting complex at Edge Hill University College.

The switch to the £3.7m 75-acre Ormskirk base, which incorporates two rugby pitches, athletics track. sports hall and gymnasium, was announced on Monday

Dubbed 'The Sporting Edge', the centre was opened in July by England cricket captain Mike Atherton and was partly funded by a £1.9m grant from the National Lottery.

Saints' chief exective David Howes said: "The superb facilities at Edge Hill should enable each of our three teams to enhance their performances even further, but we will continue to use the gymnasium and medical room at Knowsley Road."

Unsettled utility back Danny Arnold - an ever-present last season - has submitted a transfer request.

Saints'wing discovery Tony Stewart has been selected in the Great Britain Academy squad to face France in a curtain-raiser to the Test match against Australia at Elland Road, Leeds, on Sunday, November 16.

Test scrum-half Bobbie Goulding was among sporting celebrities at a party hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street on Monday night.

Saints will wear a new away strip next season, details of which will be announced in December.

A Sportsman's Dinner in aid of the Luke Bryan Appeal will be held at Windle Labour Club on Wednesday, November 19, with the speaker being Eddie Cunningham and comedian Shaun Styles. Tickets, price £15, may be obtained from the club or Jimmy O'Sullivan on St Helens 28148.

Former Saints' skipper and Kiwi Shane Cooper, who is now with Widnes, is keeping in trim by training and playing Rugby Union at Liverpool St Helens.r with Blackbrook St Mary's and St Helens Schoolboys and had never played Rugby League before arriving at Knowsley Road.

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