THERE may be plenty of talk about a back-up hooker coming in to spell James Roby, but for the time being the England number nine is getting his head down and doing what he always does.

On Friday night against Widnes he marked his 400th professional appearance with 50 tackles, 156 metres from 15 carries and four tackle busts.

When Saints pack gives the former Blackbrook junior anything like a platform to work off, the results speak for themselves.

And so it has been for the last three weeks with Saints climbing back in contention for an end of season semi-final spot.

Roby said: “It is good to string a few wins together, especially after the position we were in with the gap we had to close.

“Catalans lost again at the weekend so that obviously does us a favour and we are now only two points behind them.

“Things are looking good and if we carry in we could creep into the top four before it splits.”

A feature of recent weeks has been the improved form of young prop Greg Richards, Big Alex Walmsley beginning to hit the heights he reached last term, giving great support to Kyle Amor who has been consistently on-song all season.

Roby said: “We have always worked hard, but the competition is so tight that every game is hard.

“The pack is supposed to be one of our strengths and they are a great bunch of lads and they work very well.

“The more they carry the ball and skittle blokes off to get a quick play the ball the merrier it is for me.”

The 30-year-old, who has always turned down the overtures from the NRL to stick with his hometown club has for a number of years now been one of the competition’s rare 80 minute hookers.

And although the bulk of his early appearances, when he was understudy to current coach Keiron Cunningham, came off the bench, since 2011 he has been the starting number nine.

He has always liked being out there for as long as possible, but now appears to be coming round to the line of thinking that the odd 10 minute spell off here and there may help him and the team.

“I have been lucky injury wise, barring 2013 when I had both ankles operated on, so that has helped me rack up the appearances.

“I just want to keep my head down and keep playing as long as I can really and hopefully I will be get to another milestone before I finish.

“It’s always tough in my position. There is no hiding place because you are defending against all the big blokes and in attack you follow the ball wherever it goes and are involved in most plays.

“It is a demanding spot but there is no place I’d rather be – I like to be involved. I am just used to it and not moaning about it. That is my job at the end of the day - my role in the team.

“At times it is tough, I am getting older now and one of the older ones I the team. I have to manage myself a little bit better away from the game.

“I am not saying I need somebody – but at the same time I am not stupid.

“I can’t keep doing this to whatever age I play.

“If I do get someone to swap with me it may help my game and save me a few bumps and bruises which accumulate throughout the year.

“When we get to this time of year I do think that if I had someone to swap with me, I’d like to think I’d feel a little bit fresher.

“It may add another year to my career.

“There are a few of us that do 80 minutes every week, but some are just not used to it. It is hard work,” he said.

Having pulled back from the abyss when it looked to all intents and purposes that Saints season would be over before the Super 8s started, Saints are back in the hunt.

But did Roby and the team think that their year was a write-off after trudging off at Magic?

His answer oozed positivity.

“There is no point playing if you don’t think you can win it,” he said.

“The next fortnight we could be in the top four – and when the Super 8s starts it is going to be intense, everyone plays each other.

“I’d like to think we can get in that top four and then it is just a knockout semi final and next minute you are at Old Trafford.

“80 minutes and you are champions. I am not looking to far ahead, but I am 100 per cent confident we can win it.”