St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hornby believes ordinary trial form will count for nothing when his side meets Wests Tigers in the NRL season opener at Telstra Stadium on Friday night.

Both clubs have struggled in the pre-season, with the defending premiers losing the World Club Challenge to Bradford in England and then copping a 42-18 flogging from Manly in their last trial game.

Similarly, the Dragons were overrun in their traditional Charity Shield encounter against South Sydney before succumbing to the Sydney Roosters in their last hit-out.

But Hornby played down the importance of trial form.

"You can't read too much into trials, in the end they are a necessary evil," he said.

"Obviously both sides are trying new things, trying new players.

Hornby expected the Dragons, who slumped to five losses from their first six games last year, to start better in 2006 after fielding a strong line-up.

"I think it's a real positive to keep the same blokes for as long as possible," Hornby said.

"It's going to benefit your team chemistry-wise, knowing what each player can do is a big help."

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