FORMER Saints skipper James Roby, who hung up his playing boots at the end of last season, has announced his new job with his home-town club.

The respected number 9 enjoyed a stellar career in the game, including 20 years in rugby league’s top-flight in which he clocked up a club record of 551 appearances in the red vee.

Roby’s professional and personal qualities coupled with the respect he commands at all levels of the game meant it was always likely that he would continue in some capacity.

Although he underwent hip surgery as soon as the season ended, in recent weeks a fully-recovered Roby has been pictured in and around the club, including the squad’s recent pre-Christmas training session at Formby beach and the seasonal visit to Whiston Hospital.

The Saints veteran of 20 seasons will continue his long association with the club and will take on new role ahead of the 2024 season believed to involve working with the first team squad and the club as a whole.

Roby posted on his LinkedIn page: "I am happy to share that I am starting a new position as Leadership, Culture and Performance Coach at St Helens RFC."

As a former Steve Prescott Man of Steel, plus two-time Harry Sunderland winner who helped Saints win six Super League titles, numerous League Leaders’ Shields, four Challenge Cups, and two World Club Challenges, Roby will bring a wealth of experience to that role.

St Helens Star:

The full Saints squad resumes their pre-season training today, with the full squad back after taking a Christmas break.

Pre-season training started in stages from November, starting with the younger members, with those players involved in the autumn test series returning for the week before Christmas to get settled back in.

The serious business starts now in earnest in what will be the first time since 2019 that Saints approach a campaign without the title of champions.

Saints will kick off their Super League campaign with a home tie against newly-promoted London Broncos on Friday, 16 February.

Prior to that Saints will have two friendlies at the Totally Wicked Stadium to allow the whole squad to blast off the cobwebs and to get to grips with the new rules, particularly around the ruck.

The first of those friendlies is against dual-registration partners Swinton Lions and that takes place on Saturday, 20 January.

The last warm-up game before the 2024 Super League season kicks off will be against Salford Red Devils on Sunday, 4 February.

Both games will kick off at 2pm.