SAINTS prop Alex Walmsley has deservedly forced his way on to the Steve Prescott Man of Steel shortlist with some towering displays this term.

He will be up against Leeds Rhinos pair Zak Hardaker and Adam Cuthbertson.

But despite another outstanding season, living up and exceeding the high benchmark he first set since establishing himself in the first team 10 years ago, there is no place for James Roby.

The England hooker, who plays 80 minutes every week, defied an horrendous double dislocation of the hand to play on earlier in the campaign to maintain his high standards.

And approaching the business end, Roby upped his game again when faced with the old foe of Michael McIlorum of Wigan on Friday night, making a phenomenal 62 tackles.

Saints coach Keiron Cunningham, a former outstanding international hooker himself, believes Roby’s performances are so perfect as a rule that it is taken for granted.

Speaking before the Man of Steel shortlist was announced, Cunningaham said: “The England rugby union team made 71 in their World Cup opener against Fiji and they said that was hailed as a great defensive effort. But James Roby has made only nine less than their full team on Friday .

“And yet he still has the energy to attack. It worries me – Robes is phenomenal in the game but he can’t do that forever and I worry about breaking him.

“He is so important for the team and keeps turning up doing those little things.

“ If somebody else did that for another team they would be the best in the world but because it is Roby and he does it every week there’s a shrug of the shoulders and a ‘that's what he does’ – make 62 tackles, carry the ball 200 metres and set up two tries.

“Even I take him for granted what he does some times.”