THEY are here!

The St George Illawarra Dragons have touched down in Manchester this afternoon ahead of their World Series clash with Warrington next Friday.

Head coach Paul McGregor arrived with eight players and backroom staff, with the rest set to arrive tomorrow.

Former Kiwi captain Benji Marshall was in high spirits but did admit it may take the squad a couple of days to adjust to the time difference and conditions.

“We prepared for everything before so we got our sleeping patterns right,” said the 29-year-old half back.

“The weather is a little different, though, I am from New Zealand so it is not too bad - it is cold where I am from.

“With a week to prepare I think the boys will be pretty sweet - we won’t be training that hard I don’t think for 3-4 days and the rest of our team comes tomorrow so we will have a bit of time to settle in.”

The players are set to wander around the sights of Manchester later today but thoughts to next Friday’s clash are already taking priority.

“Our fans love seeing us have success - with this game, if we don’t go into it with a winning mindset that is when injuries can happen so even though it is a pre-season game we want to win,” added the four-time NRL all-star.

“We can do it – I am pretty confident.”

Full back Josh Dugan, who joined the side last season after plying his trade with the Canberra Raiders, believes the World Series clash will be an advert for the game.

But aside from bringing together rugby league fans, the 24-year-old is confident the clash will be of interest to sports fans around the country.

 “It is good to bring the two competitions together and it is the first one this year – it is definitely something that could be a big part of the future,” he said.

 “We have got two big clubs so it will be something that fans and players will enjoy.

“They are a good team but we are definitely looking to come here and put our best team out which I think we will be doing.

“We want to get off to a good start this season so are definitely coming here with all intentions of winning.

“We had a good game in charity shield last week so will take a lot of positives from that and into next week.”

Dugan also raised the issue of jetlag and the weather but is not worried over either having an effect on his team-mates.

He added: “There is the jetlag but I think that’s why we came over a bit earlier.

“I grew up in Canberra which is pretty similar so the cold doesn’t worry me too much.”

The Dragons meet the Wolves at The Halliwell Jones on February 20.