SAINTS skipper James Roby has moved level with Kevin Sinfield at the top of the Super League appearances record with 454.

Barring any late mishaps, Roby will break that figure on Sunday when Saints entertain Hull KR - setting a record that will be difficult for successors to beat.

But Roby will not be thinking about numbers, Saints’ Mr Perpetual Motion will continue to knock out the same 9/10 performances that belie a player in his veteran stages.

Coach Kristian Woolf said: “If you look at what he turns up and delivers every week in terms of effort and energy, and what he puts his body through, that is his real strength; his mental strength to do that on such a consistent basis is what sets him apart.

“That is exactly what he has done for us in every game this year – he has been really threatening around the middle of the ruck. He is what you want in the middle of the field.

“You can rely on him to give you absolutely everything.

“That is what makes him the best leader that that I have seen and his lead by example and ‘follow me’ attitude is exactly that.

“He has certainly got a different drive to other people and a different sort of motivation and mental toughness.

“That is why he is getting the accolades he deserves.”