St Helens full-back Paul Wellens insists there will be no looking back when the Grand Final runners-up kick off their new Super League campaign at Hull KR on Sunday.
The 2006 champions have long since consigned to history their shock 33-6 mauling by Leeds in their last competitive match, October's Grand Final, according to the Great Britain international, who says his team are raring to go.
"We were disappointed with the way we performed on the evening but such is life," said Wellens.
"It happens. We tried our best but it didn't work out. It's important to put that to the back of our minds and do what we need to do to be successful this year.
"It's important we don't dwell on it too much. I think you can over-analyse defeats like that.
"It's important we move on. We've done a lot of work in the off-season. We've improved ourselves physically and hopefully that will stand us in good stead to improve in 2008."
Saints must find that improvement with the players that went so close to completing a second consecutive treble last year.
The only additions to Daniel Anderson's squad for his final season in Super League are youngsters Kyle Eastmond, Gary Wheeler, Gareth Frodsham and Chris Dean but Wellens is comfortable with the status quo.
"I know quite a few people have raised their eyebrows about it but we've got a very good squad and let's not forget we were only one game short of another fantastic season," he said.
"We're happy with the personnel we've got and, added to that, we've got a nucleus of some very good young players who have yet to taste first-team experience but, given the right environment, I'm sure they will get a chance to play Super League this year.
"There are some promising youngsters who probably wouldn't get that opportunity if we had brought in more players."
Saints will be without captain Paul Sculthorpe, who is still recovering from a ruptured Achilles, and prop Jason Cayless, who has undergone knee surgery.
Hull KR, who pushed Leeds all the way in last Saturday's opener at Headingley, will have nine players on home debut and Wellens has been impressed by the close-season recruitment of coach Justin Morgan.
"Like a lot of other teams, they have made some great additions to the squad," he said.
"Garret Crossman and Clint Newton were part of a very successful Melbourne side last year and certainly know how to win games.
"If you add the likes of Chev Walker and Shaun Briscoe, it certainly improves the squad immensely.
"They're a great side and we know it will be a very tough game but, if we perform to the levels we know we can, we're confident we can go there and do a job."
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