Royle’s enjoying ride with Caldy
EVERGREEN try-machine Nick Royle is ready for one last hurrah in higher level rugby if he can help fire pacesetters Caldy to the National North Two title.
Prolific former England Sevens man Royle, who has amassed 254 tries in 269 league games during a 14year career that has also encompassed spells at Manchester, Liverpool St Helens, Fylde and Vale of Lune, has already crossed 18 times this season.
The 33-year-old has no intention of stopping there and is confident Wirral-based Caldy can carry their promotion-winning form into the New Year.
Royle told TRP: “My tryscoring record is one I’m very proud of and I’m just lucky to have stayed injury-free and played in some really good teams.
“I spent a long time under Mark Nelson at Fylde, where we had a great offloading game, and at Caldy this year we’re playing a nice wide game.
“Winning the National Two North title at Fylde in 2011 was a great moment, then finishing third the following season was an even better achievement.
“To be coached there by Brian Ashton and play alongside Jason Robinson was another highlight, as was the chance to play England 7s for Ben Ryan.”
Royle added: “We’ve got a great bunch of lads here at Caldy and there’s a really good buzz.
“There’s no cliques, no squabbling and everyone gets on with each other, so from top to bottom there’s a really good atmosphere at the club.
“The coaching’s been great and bringing in Andy Kyriacou as forwards coach means our scrum, lineout and defensive work has gone up a notch.
“We’re at the top and everyone wants to beat us, but there’s so much belief and we know that we if we play to top form we can beat anyone.”
Royle plans to expand his coaching. He said: “If we go up I’m going to stay and have another crack at National One whilst doing my level three.
“I’m already a community rugby coach for the RFU so it’s a case of getting my foot in the door at a club and seeing how it goes from there.”