New St Helens signing Darren Smith and fellow newcomer Jason Hooper will make their debuts for St Helens in the cross-code match against Sale Sharks.

Former Australian Test star Smith, 34, who signed from Canterbury in the close season, will begin his Saints career in the one-off clash at Knowsley Road on 27 January.

"It's going to be a different introduction to football over here," he said.

We want our best team out because we want to win it Saints coach Ian Millward

"But it will be good and we're all looking forward to it. I played union when I was at school and gave it up when I left."

Hooper, 25, who joined the Super League champions from Australian side St George Illawarra, said: "I was a bit surprised at first but I'm looking forward to it.

"I played one game of union when I was younger. It should be interesting."

Saints coach Ian Millward insisted he will field his strongest side, with Great Britain scrum-half Sean Long returning from a cracked cheekbone.

"The only players who won't play are Paul Wellens, who has had knee surgery, and Keiron Cunningham," said Millward.

"We want our best team out because we want to win it."

Challenge

Saints will gear up for the game with two union training sessions with former Bath and England A hooker Gary French.

"We could spend years on union and not perfect it because it is a specialised game but we have some thoughts on the way we'd like to play," said Millward.

"We'd like to keep it simple and attack it the St Helens way.

"It's a great opportunity to make it an annual event and it gives our guys a new challenge.

"The biggest thing with our guys is that we've won a lot of things and we'd like to keep challenging ourselves."