THREE-times Challenge Cup winner James Roby rates Wembley as “the most fantastic week of a playing career” and that is the carrot being dangled as Saints look ahead to Saturday’s vital Challenge Cup tie at Castleford.

The non-stop number nine came back to the fold for Friday night’s defeat by Warrington after missing five games since undergoing keyhole surgery on his torn knee cartilage.

It is a timely return, with Saints’ season effectively hinging on Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash against hot favourites and Super League leaders Castleford.

A win and Saints will leap into the next round energised, and more importantly with the new coaching arrangements settled by the time the quarter finals take place on June 17.

However, another early exit, running parallel with a desperate league position will see Saints with an almighty dogfight on their hands to salvage anything from the season.

Last Friday was typical of Saints’ year so far – starting with real intent but then showing a soft underbelly, executing poorly and failing to react or respond swiftly enough when mistakes were made.

Roby, who came on after 20 minutes, observed: “Friday was typical of the way we have been going – winning some here and then losing against teams we would be expected to beat.

“Against Warrington we had a decent start, on top in the first 20 minutes.

“They got two quick tries that should have been stopped because we were a little bit soft in our defence with people in the wrong positions.

“Then the start of the second half we dropped the ball in the first play and that kind of set the tone.

“They had two tries where they scored when we dropped the ball and they picked it and ran through. That should not be happening.

“Fair play to Warrington, once they got the two tries before half time it boosted their confidence, but again it was a disappointment for us.

“We were in control of the game for 20 minutes and then we just capitulated. It is something we need to sort.”

The Challenge Cup now gives Saints a different focus, although it is not a draw any team would have wished for at the first hurdle.

“It is massive, we are not doing as well as we should be in the league, but this is a different competition and goal.

“It could almost give us a fresh boost of optimism for everyone involved.

“We have to attack this with everything we have got because once you lose in the cup you are out.

“The Challenge Cup adds that little bit of spice. This might be what we need – it is a massive game and we understand that,” Roby said.

Wembley is a particularly juicy carrot for Saints, who after experiencing a strong run of cup wins between 1996 and 2008 have since endured some lean years equivalent in years to the post 1978 era.

It is has been such a long time between drinks that of the current squad only Roby and skipper Jon Wilkin have played in a Challenge Cup final.

The lure of that Wembley week is something that motivates the two old heads as much as the hungry younger members.

Roby, who has the distinction of scoring the first try at the new Wembley in the 2007 win over Catalans having played at the old ground as an under 11 schoolboy, said: “If you get to Wembley and go on to win it is the most fantastic week of your rugby career to look back on.

“Those times at Wembley are amazing.

“It is not just the game it is the build up – it is all that little bit special.

“We are aware what is at stake and we will be doing our best to try and inspire the lads. There is an end goal that is worth the effort.

“We have a job to steel the lads and pass that on.

“The players have to have that drive and hunger themselves – which they have.

“The way the competition is structured, if you win four games and you have won the Challenge Cup.

“We win this game on Saturday and it is just three more games to win it. I know that sounds easier than it, but each game you win is a leap closer,” Roby said.

The patchy form that led to the departure of coach Keiron Cunningham has continued since his exit.

Two bright performances over Easter gave way to a dull defeat at Widnes, and although they picked themselves up for a win against a now struggling Leigh, defeat against a depleted Warrington side has left Saints looking down as much as up as they seek to secure a top eight berth.

Roby said: “We have to buck this trend of being inconsistent and start turning it around.

“It came to a head with Keiron going and Justin Holbrook about to come in.

“It is vital we come up with a good performance at Cas.”

Roby refused to accept the disruption of the spine of the team as an explanation for the team’s scratchy displays – with his, Jonny Lomax’s and Matty Smith’s absences in the spring being felt .

“It is not ideal but that has been what we have got used to over the years, especially filling in at halves.

“Although we would like the 1,6,7,9 playing together it has not been the case, but I don’t like making excuses for injuries.

“We have players capable of filling those spots and should still be performing and winning games,” he said.

Defeat aside, Roby came through with only the standard bumps and bruises to be expected with no reaction to his knee.

Roby explained: “The specialist said it was wear and tear and the sort of injury old people get.

“It has just been gradually worn down over the years rather than a specific impact.

“I could feel it for a couple of weeks and it was a little bit sore, but just carried on. But after the Salford game my knee swelled up massively.

“I got it scanned and it was a meniscus tear.

“I am fine now and I should have no issues with it,” he said.