MOUTHWATERING clashes against top Australian and New Zealand sides at Knowsley Road in June, followed by trip Down Under the following month to face the same opposition!

That is the daunting task facing Saints in next season's World Club Challenge, which comprises 12 European teams and 10 from the Southern Hemisphere, who will play in four separate pools.

Saints' fixtures are: Home. June 7 Auckland Warriors; 14 Cronulla Sharks; 21 Penrith Panthers. Away. July 19 Cronulla Sharks; 26 Auckland Warriors. August 2 Penrith Panthers.

Total prize money at stake is reported to be £1million, half of which will go to the winner. Super League sponsors News Corporation have pledged £3.5 million to cover travel and accommodation, while home clubs will retain gate money

Saints will kick-off the Super League with a televised visit to London Broncos on the weekend of March 14/16, with the probable venue being Harlequins' ground at The Stoop. The opening home match will be against newly-promoted Salford. The complete fixture list will be released next week.

Negotiations are still proceeding with Warrington over the transfer of Iestyn Harris, but no significant progress had been made as the Star went to press. Having failed to sign centre Richie Blackmore Saints are likely to turn their attention to Australia, with the link being through coach Shaun McRae and Kangaroo Laurie Daley.

McRae, incidentally, will be temporarily swopping codes on Tuesday, December 3, when he gives a preparation and conditioning session at West Park Rugby Union Club from 7-9pm.

Swinton have made an inquiry for Nick Devine, as have Huddersfield for John McAtee and James Arkwright, and Wakefield for Mike Riley.

Kiwi prop Julian O'Neill is expected at Knowsley Road within the next 10 days.

A package deal including meal, buffet, stand ticket, programme and parking for the Wigan match is available at Knowsley Road, price £40 plus VAT.

Saints will play a pre-season warm-up game against Leeds on Sunday, January 26, at either Knowsley Road or Headingley.

The annual Christmas party for children takes place at Saints on Monday, December 2, at 6.15pm.

Former Saints' chairman 92-year-old Harry Cook is detained in Whiston Hospital after a fall at his Eccleston Park home on Sunday.

Forthcoming events in the Gus O'Donnell testimonial include: Ladies night at Saints, Friday, November 29. Race night at Sutton Cricket Club, Thursday, December 5.

Answer to correspondent James O'Shaughnessy, of Thatto Heath: Saints defeated Wigan 17-0 in the Charity Shield Final at Gateshead in 1993. Ropati, Sullivan and Cooper scored tries, with the other points coming from two goals by Ropati and drop goal from O'Donnell. Team: Hunte; Riley, Connolly, Ropati, Sullivan; Griffiths, O'Donnell; Neill, Dwyer, Ward, Harrison, Mann, Cooper. Substitutes Quirk, Forber.

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