SAINTS’ season hinges on what happens during a massive 80 minutes on Saturday.

They travel to face on-song Super League leaders Castleford in the Challenge Cup sixth round – and according to hooker James Roby they will be “attacking it with everything they have got”.

With Saints struggling in the league, and currently seven points off a top-four placing, the Challenge Cup offers the club and its fans the best chance of silverware.

But they could not have asked for a tougher draw – particularly as they are still something at sixes and sevens with the current coaching hiatus, inconsistency and low confidence hanging over them.

Having beaten the Tigers as recently as Easter Monday, Saints should not be going to the Jungle over-awed.

But on the other side of the coin if they do not get their act together they will get burned by the free-scoring leaders who thrive on the short pitch.

Roby, one of now only two members of the Saints team who have played at Wembley, knows what is at stake but sees the game as a huge opportunity.

Roby said: “It is massive; although we are not doing as well as we should be in the league, 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.”

Castleford are top of the league - and apart from a couple of wobbles just after Easter - they have been tough and consistent all year.

So not only do they have the best attacking record by some way, they also have the meanest defence.

Even last week when they were missing England players Zak Hardaker, Luke Gale and Mike McMeeken they still found a toughness and resilience to win.

“Cas are playing great and getting all the plaudits,” said Roby.

“They have been noted for throwing the ball around over the years and are still doing that.

“They have also got a very good defence and have grown into the role of closing games out now.

“It is no longer a case of 'they score, we score'.

“They have turned that mental mindset around.

“In close games they can get in front and stay in front and that is a sign of a good team.

“Last time we played them we turned them over – but it is a tough game for both teams.

“It is a small pitch and they are used to it.

“On that pitch if you give a penalty away with someone who can boot the ball 40 yards you are going to be defending your line pretty soon.”