The team finished 10 points ahead of closest competitor Wigan in the league table, but were eliminated in the play-offs against the Wolves (Warrington).

A Challenge Cup defeat prior to that at the hands of the Catalan Dragons, missing out on the showpiece final.

St Helen's and England Forward Alex Walmsley, who had his season cut short to a chronic neck injury, is feeling extra motivated to have an improved 2019 campaign. 

The Saints are ready to banish the semi-final curse.

"It's a motivating point before being a focal point," the forward stated

"When you lose semi-finals the first thing you're going to do is write that year off and get going again. You can't wait for the season to start just so you can rectify those wrongs, and it's exactly the same this year.

"Anything less than a final this year I don't think will be acceptable for this club.

"We were really disappointed how we finished last year. Being arguably the best team for the vast majority of the season and to come unstuck at the semi-finals was tough to take."