Roby says it's "highly likely" he will suffer brain damage after 20-year career

27 February 2023 , 18:41

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Roby says it's "highly likely" he will suffer brain damage after 20-year career

St Helens star James Roby has given a harrowing insight into the long-term effects of rugby league and admitted it's "highly likely" his physical style could have an adverse effect in later life.

Roby, 37, is an icon of both the Saints and Super League and was recently labelled the competition's "greatest ever" player by Castleford opponent Paul McShane. The hooker was pivotal as his side won the World Club Challenge in Australia this month, beating the Penrith Panthers in Sydney.

Roby, however, wasn't due to feature this season after only signing a one-year contract extension at the end of the 2021 campaign. But he opted to re-sign for the current campaign, and whilst already holding the record for the most amount of Super League appearances with 522, this year he will almost certainly go pas Kel Coslett’s marker of 531 for St Helens.

But in a frank interview, Roby has conceded he has concerns over his future health. And he referenced former teammate James Graham, who retired in 2020 when brain scans revealed abnormalities, having suffered over 100 concussions in his playing career.

"A little bit," he told The Guardian, when asked if Graham's situation unnerved him. "Obviously I hope I can get through this last year unscathed with no more concussions, but, playing rugby league at this level, there are going to be collisions and head knocks. If you play long enough it’s highly likely you’re going to have some sort of (brain) damage.

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"I spoke to James and he’s not blaming anybody. He understands the risks just like I do. I would never be one of those players who goes back and tries to sue the game. I know full well what I’m getting into. I am aware of (head injuries) and it does scare me a little."

(PA)

Roby, who made his St Helens debut back in 2004, has also won 35 caps for England. He retired from international duty last year, and accepts his 19-year professional career is beginning to take its toll after games.

“I’ve played it for a long, long time," he added. "As you age you get a bit stiffer and more sore in the morning. I come into training and we’ve got lots of young lads bouncing around, without a care in the world. I walk in like I’ve just been in a car crash. I’ve got scars everywhere and I’ve probably injured every part of my body."

Roby also revealed he's undergone seven operations in his career, as well as suffering breaks or fractures in his fingers, hands, nose, ribs, and sternum. He credits the second groin surgery he received in 2019 though for prolonging his time in rugby league, claiming he's "lucky" to still be playing.

Fraser Watson