Kristian Woolf discusses James Roby future as key quartet return for Challenge Cup tie with Catalans

Kristian Woolf has indicated St Helens would be more than happy to have James Roby in their squad in 2023 if the hooker expressed a desire to play on - saying the reigning Super League champions would not give him a 'tap on the shoulder' and tell him to retire.

Woolf was speaking ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final with Catalans, and he confirmed that Alex Walmsley, Matty Lees, Will Hopoate and James Bell will all be available to feature against the Dragons in Perpignan. "They're all big game players and it's great to have them back," he said.

But Woolf was also asked about Roby's playing future after the legendary hooker's 500th appearance for the Saints last Friday. Roby said that he would let his body decide whether or not he continued into a 20th season as a professional, which would almost certainly make him the club's record appearance holder, surpassing Kel Coslett.

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Woolf stressed that Roby's form, and his phenomenal playing career, means Roby has the right to make the final call on his career, and hinted that the Saints would not stop him if he wanted to carry on.

"While he's playing way he is, he's got that right," Woolf said.

"He's been so consistent, been so elite and I guess so consistently elite. That's a hard thing to do and a special sign of him and a person. He's earned that right to make that a decision while he's playing the way he is. Put it this way, he's certainly not going to get a tap on the shoulder from us."

There is less promising news on the injury front regarding winger Regan Grace though, who could be set to miss another month of action.

Grace suffered a hamstring injury on his comeback during the