JAMES ROBY will be “privileged” to usurp the great Kel Coslett as St Helens’ record appearance-maker - even if teenage team-mates mock him about his age.
When the iconic captain Roby lines up against Salford on Saturday lunchtime, it will be his 532nd game for the reigning Betfred Super League champions. That surpasses the total of legendary Welsh forward Coslett whose record of 531 has stood since 1976. Ex-Great Britain hooker Roby, who has spent his entire career with Saints and retires at the end of this season, admits it will be a proud moment. Coslett, who led the club to two Challenge Cup glories, is now 81.
Roby, 37, said: “We’ve not talked about the record itself but I had a chat with Kel this week to do a little piece for Saints. He’s a great bloke. As a young player I remember him being around in roles like team manager and club president. You can’t not know his name as you walk out of the changing room and he leads the appearance board on the wall there. It’s players who have played more than 300 games for St Helens and Kel’s name is sitting proudly at the top.
