Pryce predicts success for Saints

Leon Pryce believes St Helens are guaranteed a top-three finish in Super League, but he will be aiming to prevent them taking over top spot on Friday when he returns to his old club with Catalan Dragons.

The former Great Britain stand-off enjoyed the best spell of his career during his six seasons at St Helens, where he tasted Challenge Cup, Grand Final and World Club Challenge glory, but insists he has no regrets over his move to Perpignan.

"I had the best years of my career there, going to Wembley, winning Super League in 2006 and beating Brisbane Broncos and just playing with some absolutely fantastic players," said Pryce. "They are always going be top two or three, it's our biggest challenge."

He added: "It's going to be good to play in the new stadium. Saints fans have deserved that. It looks fantastic from what I've seen.

"As for the fans' reaction, I'll be more interested in the game."

After being a permanent fixture in his first five years at Knowsley Road, Pryce had a wretched final season during the club's temporary move to Widnes, making just eight appearances due to a string of injuries.

He was eventually left out of coach Royce Simmons' squad for Old Trafford, thus missing the chance to extend his record of Grand Final appearances to 10, and with his contract up, he opted to move on.

Pryce had the chance to return to hometown club Bradford, from where he commuted during his time in Lancashire, and he admits he surprised himself by deciding to move to France.

"Now I've done it, it's the best decision I've ever made with the family," said Pryce, who has a house near the beach with his wife and two young children. "I'm really enjoying the rugby and the lifestyle. It's a different culture, a new way of life, and it's not often you get the chance to do something different like that.

"It will take a while to get used to the team but so far so good. It's good to be enjoying rugby again, to be honest. Last year was one to forget."