Brown looking for stability at half-back

St Helens coach Nathan Brown hopes new signing Luke Walsh will help provide some stability at half-back this season.

Brown’s first season in charge at Langtree Park was marred by injuries, and he was forced in to fielding several makeshift half-back combinations, which often included international back-rower Jon Wilkin.

He said: “Luke Walsh was obviously a really important signing, for a number of reasons.

“He’s got a very good kicking game, he’s a good talker and organiser, and he will compliment the players around him well.

“He will be a good link for the other players at the club, and the different skill sets they all provide should work together well.

“I’m hoping Walshy can provide something that the club has lacked since Sean Long left.

“The disruption in the half-backs last year didn’t help, if you look at the other sides that did well, Huddersfield and Wigan, they had stability in their halves which is key.

“Unfortunately due to moving Jonny Lomax and the injuries we then suffered, we struggled.”

Walsh, 26, has joined from Penrith on a two-year deal, and fellow former Panthers player, prop Mose Masoe, also indicates where Brown feels Saints were lacking last season.

Brown added: “Mose is a big lad, and we feel that is something we’ve lacked a little bit in the squad.

“We hope that he can help provide a nice platform for James Roby and Luke Walsh to play off.

“Mose is also a likeable character for fans from both sides. He’ll certainly provide some personality for the game.

“Last year I felt we lacked a bit of size in that area and Mose definitely improves us.

“You try to get the right balance in any team, Kyle Amor, Richard Beaumont and Mose Masoe all provide different things to help that.”

St Helens kick-off their season with a trip to Warrington on Thursday night, in front of the SKY Sports TV cameras.