02 February 2024 , 14:55
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New St Helens signing Daryl Clark will make the most of having iconic James Roby on speed dial.
England star Clark has huge boots to fill after taking the retired Roby’s No9 shirt for the new season. Having joined from rivals Warrington, he knows he can’t replicate the legendary Saints hero’s feats. They include a whopping six Grand Finals wins and record 551 club appearances.
But Clark, 30, is out to make his own mark. And he reckons it’s a good thing that Roby, 38, has stayed on as leadership, culture and performance coach. Clark said: “Robes has been a massive part of this club for the best part of 20 years.
“The silverware he’s won and stuff he’s achieved is second to none. To have someone like that around the playing group is massive. He’s got a role touching on the culture and setting standards and who better than Robes to do that?
“He knows what winning looks like. We’ve had a few individual chats as part of his role but nothing yet about playing hooker at Saints as such. Once the games get flying, if I need any advice or he’s got anything to add, he’s easy to approach. I’m sure we’ll have some of those conversations.”
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Ex-Man of Steel Clark is desperate to make Saints champions again after their historic four-year glory run was finally ended last season. But after nine years at Warrington he admitted: “As you can imagine, the first couple of days, sticking the new colours on and going to the training ground, it felt a bit weird.
England's Daryl Clark in action against Tonga (Steve Flynn/News Images)“I was a bit nervous and excited so there were a few emotions flying around. But I’ve known a few of the guys for a few years through England so a few familiar faces always makes it a bit easier to settle in. The lads have been great. I've really enjoyed first five or six weeks training."
Saints kick-off the new Super League season against promoted London in a fortnight’s time. Yorkshireman Clark added: "I've a willingness to want to impress in a new environment. I’ve got quite a few feelings. I’ve got a bit of a spring back in my step. I’ve been looking good, the team has as well and that’s all good signs.
"But you never know until the season starts. Saints have been champions for so long they were the team to chase and knock off. Now they have, the roles are reversed and they’re the team chasing again. But I think that’s a good thing: the feeling I'm getting is it really hurt the lads losing that title but it’s given them that bit of hunger as well. "Hopefully it gives us that boost to be the top dogs again and get that mantle back."
That would be great for ex-Castleford star Clark who won a Challenge Cup final with Warrington but was denied twice in Grand Finals. He said: " Obviously that’s the plan. A lot of things need to go right but one of the main reasons of coming to a club like Saints was to be part of a winning team. That end goal is to get a winners’ ring."