ROBY IS NOT ON THE WANE FOR ENGLAND
Veteran targets final fling at the World Cup
EVERGREEN James Roby is in no rush to put a date on his retirement plans but he has targeted an international finale at this year’s World Cup.
The 35-year-old St Helens captain watched on as peers James Graham and Sean O’Loughlin ended their starstudded careers after the unforgettable Grand Final in November.
While Roby has not ruled out playing beyond this season as Saints look to make it a treble of titles, he said: “I’m a realist. I’m not stupid in the fact that I know that time is coming, whether it is the end of this year or potentially the end of next. “At the minute I’ve got this year on my deal and we’ll just have to see. I’m approaching it pretty relaxed and just want to enjoy my rugby.
“I’ll see how the body feels and have a conversation with my wife and it depends if I get offered another deal. But I’m feeling really good.”
Although Roby could extend his Saints career into 2022, he is certain this year will be his last chance to pull on an England shirt.
He will again face competition for the hooking spot from Canberra’s Josh Hodgson, Man of Steel Paul McShane and Warrington’s Daryl Clark.
But Roby is keen to cement a place in Shaun Wane’s squad. He said: “I’m aware that we’ve got a long year ahead first and I want to concentrate on playing as well as I can for St Helens.
“But earning selection for that squad is definitely in the back of my mind.
“It would be my last chance to experience international rugby and I want to give it everything I can. I’ve played in the past three World Cups and it would be a fantastic way to maybe end my career, especially with the way England have been going for the past few years.”
Roby’s performances in 2020 were of international standard and produced a remarkable statistic even by his relentless standards.
In the entire Super League season, he attempted 538 tackles and missed just five in total.
While Roby will continue this year, another 35-year-old, Weller Hauraki, has confirmed his retirement. Kiwi Hauraki first arrived in Super League at the Crusaders in 2010 before having spells with Leeds, Castleford, Salford,Widnes and Hull KR.
He had interest from Warrington to continue playing this season, but he said: “I’m happy with what I’ve achieved.”
SCOTLAND have shaken off their Calcutta Cup hangover and reset their co-ordinates on a first Six Nations title after their surprise opening-round victory over England.
The Scots have not won the championship since they took the final Five Nations crown in 1999 but with three home games out of four to come, starting with Saturday’s match against Wales, this could be their best chance since.There have been false dawns before but flanker Jamie Ritchie believes the nature of their 11-6 victory over the defending champions at Twickenham showed they have every right to shoot for the stars.
“We were on such a high on Saturday.We got a few beers in the changing room after the game and then were all back in the hotel and it was nice to enjoy each other’s company,” said Ritchie.
“But we also made it clear we had an opportunity to go again and hopefully do something even more special.
“We felt in control for 80 minutes which, certainly since I can remember, has not always been the case when playing for Scotland.
In the last 20 years we’ve won the first game maybe three times.We know this is just the start.”
Scotland beat Wales in October in the Six Nations at Llanelli to end an 18-year drought against them on the road but Ritchie says Sunday’s 21-16 win over Ireland is a better guide to the form Wayne Pivac’s side are in.
“They looked a better team than they looked in the autumn,” he said. Wales are set to be without Dan Lydiate until the autumn after he sustained cruciate knee ligament damage against Ireland.
“He has been probably the form No6 inWales and to see that happen so innocently – I’m gutted for him,” said Wales assistant coach Gethin Jenkins, above. “Hopefully he gets well soon because it’s a tough pill to swallow both for him and the squad.”
Scrum-half Tomos Williams could also miss the remainder of the championship with a torn hamstring.
Cardiff Blues duo James Botham and LloydWilliams are set to be called up to replace them in the squad, as well as uncapped centre Willis Halaholo with Johnny Williams out due to concussion.
TOP 10: Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson set a Five/Six Nations scoring record 1893: Bill Tilden, the first American to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title in 1920, was born. He retained his crown the following year, claimed a third title at SW19 in 1930 and also won seven US Opens. He died aged 60 on June 5, 1953. 2000: John Barnes was sacked as Celtic manager. 2003: The Premier League rejected Charlton’s claim that their 4-1 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was played on an artificial surface. Chelsea had covered the pitch in sand in preparation for a complete relaying of the surface. But the Blues were fined £5,000 for breaching rules regarding conduct between two clubs. 2007: Jonny Wilkinson became the all-time leading points-scorer in the Five and Six Nations after hitting a third-minute penalty against Italy at Twickenham. That day, Wilkinson kicked five penalties in a 20-7 win to take his championship points total to 421. 2008: Dwain Chambers returned from a drugs ban to win the 60m at the World Indoor trials in Sheffield, meaning UK Athletics had to select him to run in Valencia, where he won a silver medal. 2008: Egypt retained the African Nations Cup with a 1-0 win over Cameroon. 2019: England claimed their biggest victory against France since 1911, winning their Six Nations match at Twickenham 44-8.