James Roby admits he may extend his legendary St Helens career by one more year
JAMES Roby admits 2021 may not be his last hurrah.
It is widely expected the legendary St Helens hooker will hang up his boots after this season and, hopefully, playing in the World Cup for England.
But that may not necessarily be the case.
For Roby has tantalisingly left the door open on adding another 12 months to the 17 years he has been an integral part of the first team.
He said: “This year could potentially be the last. If not, maybe one more.
“If I get to go around next year, then great but I’ll have to make that decision.
“I’m quite chilled out about it at the minute. I understand the situation I’m in but I’ll see how I’m going a couple more months into the season.
“I’m in a better place now than I was a few years ago, when I had a few lingering issues.
“But this year is slightly different with a few more short turnarounds between games. I see that as a challenge, though.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it but I don’t think that will play a massive part in my decision.
“I’m a bit like a politician at the minute! It’s in the back of my mind that I’ll have to make a decision but I honestly haven’t made one yet.”
Roby has been there, seen it, done it, won the lot with Saints. Amazingly, though, it is 13 years since they won the Challenge Cup.
Since then, he has lifted three Super League trophies and three League Leaders’ Shields but that gap in the trophy cabinet is getting bigger by the year.
The 35-year-old added: “For a club like St Helens, which is associated with success, 13 years is a long time.
“I was lucky enough to be involved in the last one, we’d won three on the trot then. They’re great memories but I’ve not tasted it for so long.
“It’s in the back of everyone’s mind and we’re aware of the drought but it doesn’t feel like a burden. We know we’re a good team and if we carry on playing like we have been we can achieve something this year.”
Leeds boss Richard Agar has spared Kyle Eastmond a rugby league return at the club he came through at, the one he left under a cloud in 2011.
But Roby is in no doubt the 31-year-old has what it takes to make it once again. If you can survive the ‘Yorkshire Bus’ you can do anything.
“I didn’t know whether to be jealous or feel sorry for him,” Roby told SunSport about the car journeys he shared with then team-mates Nick Fozzard, Lee Gilmour, Paul Anderson and Leon Pryce.
“Kyle probably has some great tales from those days. You could get away with a but more back then!
“It was a bit of a surprise when Kyle came back to rugby league with Leeds. I know what he’s about as a guy and what he’s capable of.
“When he came through, his agility, speed and power for his size was outstanding. He always wanted to make a mark and almost prove people wrong.
“And he’s played for the national team in both codes. Bloody hell, there’s not many people who’ve done that. Hats off to him for that.
“I’ve nothing bad to say about him.”
