St Helens comfortably beat Salford Red Devils in a repeat of the 2019 Super League Grand Final, while four-try Ben Crooks inspired Hull Kingston Rovers to an opening win over Wakefield Trinity.

Saints cruised to a 23-6 triumph over the Red Devils at Old Trafford in October, and they got their 2020 campaign off to a flying start under new coach Kristian Woolf with a 48-8 home victory.

Salford head coach Ian Watson signed a contract extension on Thursday but, having lost key players such as Jackson Hastings, his side were no match for the defending champions.

After Salford, who face Sonny Bill Williams and the Toronto Wolfpack next week, took a two-point lead, Jonny Lomax slipped in Zeb Taia for Saints' first try. Alex Walmsley and Theo Fages then got in on the act before half-time.

Ken Sio just failed to ground a loose ball before sliding into touch shortly after the restart and Saints made their good fortune count as Kevin Naiqama bundled his way over.

Sio did manage to pull a try back for the visitors, yet Naiqama's second put Saints clear before Jack Welsby's double and another from Walmsley wrapped up a 17th straight home win.

At Craven Park, Crooks was the star of the show with his flurry of tries in Hull KR's 30-12 triumph over Wakefield.

Crooks got things rolling for Rovers in the ninth minute, with Greg Minkin's debut try putting the hosts well in control.

Wakefield twice threatened to fight back but, ultimately, three tries in the space of 24 second-half minutes from Crooks and one from Ryan Brierley claimed the points.