27 September 2023 , 21:56
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It’s got to the stage where legendary St Helens captain James Roby feels like he’s playing Russian roulette.
On Saturday, the iconic hooker makes his last ever appearance at the club where he’s spent his entire distinguished career. If things go right in the play-off eliminator against Warrington, he’ll be just 80 minutes away from a staggering 12th Grand Final. But if things go wrong, in what will be his 550th outing for Saints, it’s his last ever game anywhere. Full stop.
There’ll be no U-turn on retirement like last year, even though the indefatigable 37 year-old keeps purring like a Rolls Royce. Ex-England star Roby admitted: “It is a little bit strange thinking that - knowing potentially it could be my last ever game and last time I put a pair of rugby boots on. I’m aware of that but at the same time I’m just determined we get the result. I’m very confident in our ability as a team and hopefully the last few years, when we’ve been involved in these big games, it should stand us in good stead.”
And Roby, bidding for a fifth straight title, insists he won’t change any of his routines as third-placed Saints fight for a semi-final showdown at Catalans. He said: “There’s a small element in the back of my mind being aware it is definitely my last game at the home stadium. But I’m not getting caught up in the last hurrah. I won’t waste time on it. I’ll literally try to approach it like any other game.
“It might not be the right way and some people might say take it all in and savour the emotion a bit more. But we’ve a job to do on Saturday and that doesn’t change. Maybe after the full-time whistle it might sink in a little more and the emotion might get me then but for now, it’s just another game. Albeit a big one. Warrington are a fantastic team. We played them not so long ago and it was a very close battle."
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On his own farewell appearance, club joker Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 37, will be right there beside him. Asked what the funniest thing the barnstorming prop has ever said or done in their 13 years as team-mates, Roby admitted: “Where do you start with Louie? He does something every day that makes you laugh.
St Helens' James Roby applauds the fans following his record-breaking 532nd appearance for the club in the Betfred Super League match against Salford in May. (PA)“It would be amazing and the perfect ending for me and Louie if we could win another one (title). But we’re aware we’re three games away and there’s a lot of effort, grind and team performance to get us to that point. I know many fantastic legendary players who’ve not had the ending they desire. Hopefully we will.”
In a rarity to the norm', Saints are going to have to plot their way to Old Trafford from third place after missing out on the League Leaders' Shield and second spot only by virtue of a poorer points difference. But the ex-Man of Steel insisted: "It doesn’t really change anything from way we approach the game. We’ve got to win three games rather than two. It’s one extra game and whoever we play they’ll be at the top of their game and it’ll be very tough, very tight, very hostile. But we’ll be ready. Hopefully we can go all the way,.