St Helens legend James Roby may play on as he reveals retirement decision dilemma

St Helens captain James Roby today said he expects to make a decision about whether he will retire or continue playing in 2023 within the next “couple of weeks”. The evergreen hooker, 36, is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the current campaign, bringing down the curtain on a remarkable 19 seasons in Super League.

Roby made his debut for his hometown club in March 2004 against Widnes Vikings and has gone to achieve greatness in the Red Vee, captaining Saints to three Grand Final wins in the past three seasons and five in total during a glorious career.

He said today that he is still weighing up whether or not he will call it quits later this year, saying: “It’s a question that people keep asking me, but I’ve not really got a set answer to be honest. There is still always a part of me that will never switch off and will always want to carry on.

“There are pros and cons for both to be honest, but I’m aware and the club is aware that the decision needs to be made pretty soon. I’m sure something will maybe get sorted out pretty quick.

“It’s a decision that I need to make myself because I’ve had enough time to think about it and should have made my mind up by now. But to be honest I keep erring and I think the decision will have to be made in the next couple of weeks – for everybody’s sake. The decision will be made and we will move on from there.”

Roby added that he had “no dialogue” with England boss Shaun Wane about coming out of international retirement to play in the World Cup. Roby presented Wane’s players with their England jerseys before last weekend’s mid-season international against the Combined Nations All Stars.

He insisted: “I’ve not had any dialogue with Shaun Wane or anyone at England. As far as I’m