SAINTS Academy graduate Sam Royle has signed a 12-month extension which will see him stay with the club into the 2023 season.

The 22-year-old has captained the Club at every level – from the Scholarship and Academy to the Reserves and the first team.

He led the very young Saints side to narrow defeat at Castleford Tigers just after Easter.

Royle said: “I am very happy to be here. I want to keep improving and push my way into the team.

“I was really proud to get the opportunity to captain the first team and it wasn’t expected. It was a massive moment for me and my family and it was a bit of payback to them for all their hard work with me too.”

Second rower Royle joined juniors Thatto Heath at the age of 11 and signed for Saints Scholarship shortly after and has progressed through the pathway.

He won the Scholarship Player of the Year award in just his second season before moving up to the U19s.

He played for the Academy for three straight years and also represented Lancashire on three occasions against Yorkshire and the Aussie Schoolboys.

Royle captained the side in 2019 all the way to the Grand Final. His impressive form was rewarded as he picked up the Saints U19s Player of the Year award at the club’s annual awards dinner. He made four appearances for the reserves in 2020 before making his first team debut in 2021 against Salford.

He has since made 5 appearances in 2022 and even captained the Saints in defeat to Castleford.

Head Coach Kristian Woolf said: “We are really happy to keep Sam with us. He is such a good person and trainer. He is extremely intelligent and his work ethic is why he has got to where he has today.

“He understands the game and he has progressed through the Saints system and has worked his way into the first team squad which is a great reward for him.

“A show of his character and personality is the fact he has captained the Club at all levels and him signing with us again for 2023 is great for him and the Club.”