View source for James Roby

{{Short description|English Rugby League legend}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = James Roby
|fullname       = James William Mark Roby<ref>{{cite web|title=James William Mark Roby|url=https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/officers/7sIhPdtr4Ok_P7biZn76f9LRBQE/appointments|publisher=Companies House|access-date=2 December 2017}}</ref>
|nickname       = 
|image          = James Roby.jpg
|image_size     = 
|position       = {{Rlp|HK}}
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1985|11|22}}
|birth_place    = [[Whiston, Merseyside]], England
|height         = {{convert|5|ft|11|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=" Saints">{{cite web|title=James Roby|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/teams/men/player_profile?520272-james-roby|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>
|weight         = {{convert|88|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}<ref name="Saints"/>
|club1          = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] 
|year1start     = 2004
|year1end       = 23 
|appearances1   = 551
|tries1         = 117
|goals1         = 1
|fieldgoals1    = 1
|points1        = 471
|teamA          = {{nowrap|[[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]]}}
|yearAstart     = 2006
|yearAend       = 07 
|appearancesA   = 7
|triesA         = 1 
|goalsA         = 0 
|fieldgoalsA    = 0 
|pointsA        = 4
|teamB          = [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|yearBstart     = 2008
|yearBend       = 18
|appearancesB   = 32
|triesB         = 6
|goalsB         = 0 
|fieldgoalsB    = 0 
|pointsB        = 24
|new            = yes
|retired        = yes
|source         = <ref>{{Rugby league records |id=442 |title=James Roby |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/james-roby/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Roby&submit=Go&c=England|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Roby&submit=Go&c=GB|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref>
|updated        = 7 October 2023
}}

'''James William Mark Roby''' (born 22 November 1985)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=152585449907671 |author=Rugby Football League |date=22 November 2020 |title=On This Day|website=[[Facebook]] }}</ref> is an English former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who last played as a {{rlp|hk}} for [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]], who he also captained, in the [[Super League]]. He represented [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]] at international level.

Roby played his entire professional career at St Helens, winning Super League Championships with them six times (in 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022), winning the League Leaders Shield eight times (in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019 and 2022) and winning the [[Challenge Cup]] four times (in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2021). Individually, he has been named to the [[Super League Dream Team]] on seven occasions, won the [[Harry Sunderland Trophy]] twice, and was awarded the 2007 [[Man of Steel Awards|Man of Steel]]. Roby has also won the World Club Challenge twice in 2007 and 2023 respectively. Roby currently holds the record for the most appearances in the Super League era.

==Background==
Roby was born in [[Whiston, Merseyside]], England. He went to Legh Vale Primary School, [[Haydock]] and later attended Cowley Language College from 1997 to 2002 then went on to study at the Sixth Form. Furthermore, James went on to [[Liverpool John Moores University]] studying sports science but dropped out in his first year to concentrate on his rugby. He played junior [[rugby league]] for [[Blackbrook A.R.L.F.C.|Blackbrook]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cunningham confident Roby can fill his boots in Australia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/16/rugbyleague.gdnsport3 |website=The Guardian |access-date=8 September 2023 |date=16 October 2006}}</ref>

==Club career==
===2000s===
Roby made his début in 2004 against [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] after progressing through the academy ranks at St Helens. Roby's position is hooker and had plenty of experience already, playing alongside some of the greats of the game including [[Keiron Cunningham]].

In 2005's [[Super League X]], he was narrowly beaten to the Young Player of The Year. St Helens saw Roby as one of the brighter prospects and he seemed a perfect replacement for Keiron Cunningham when he retired, so much so that St Helens were willing to allow [[Mickey Higham]] to leave the club and Roby was given a more active role in the team.

Roby played for St Helens from the interchange bench in their [[2006 Challenge Cup]] Final victory against [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]]. St Helens reached the [[2006 Super League Grand final]] to be contested against [[Hull F.C.|Hull FC]], and Roby played from the interchange bench in Saints' 26–4 victory.

As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers the [[Brisbane Broncos]] in the [[2007 World Club Challenge]]. Roby played at {{rlp|hk}} in the Saints' 18–14 victory.
[[File:James Roby Saints.JPG|thumb|right|Roby playing for St Helens in 2010]]
Roby holds the honour of scoring the first try at the new [[Wembley Stadium]], scored during St Helens' victory over the [[Catalans Dragons]] in the [[Challenge Cup]] Final on 25 August 2007. Roby also won the 'Man of Steel' award in October 2007 after being judged to have had the most impact on 2008's [[Super League XIII]] season, being the youngest player to ever win the award, and also becoming the third St Helens player in a row to win the accolade from 2005 to 2007, with [[Jamie Lyon]] (2005) and [[Paul Wellens]] (2006) winning the award previously.

He played in the 2008's [[Super League XIII#Grand Final|Super League XIII Grand Final]] defeat by [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]].<ref name="2008 Grand Final">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=4 October 2008|access-date=5 October 2008}}</ref>

He played in the [[2009 Super League Grand Final]] defeat by the [[Leeds Rhinos]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8290503.stm|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2009}}</ref>

===2010s===
He played in the [[2011 Super League Grand Final]] defeat by the [[Leeds Rhinos]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-match-report?newsfeed=true|title=Leeds claim Grand Final glory as inspired Rob Burrow sinks St Helens|date=8 October 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/8815944/St-Helens-16-Leeds-32-match-report.html|title=St Helens 16 Leeds 32|date=8 October 2011|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=21 November 2019}}</ref>

Despite being linked with moves to the [[NRL]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/james-roby-open-to-nrl-switch-in-future-10630/ |title=James Roby open to NRL switch in future {{!}} NRL {{!}} Zero Tackle |website=Zerotackle.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815044645/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/james-roby-open-to-nrl-switch-in-future-10630/ |archive-date=2013-08-15}}</ref> Roby committed his long-term future to St Helens in 2013 by signing a five-year contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25204331 | title=Roby signs five-year Saints deal | work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

St Helens reached the [[2014 Super League Grand Final]], and Roby was selected to play at hooker, putting in a Man-of-the-Match performance to claim the [[Harry Sunderland Trophy]] in their 14–6 victory over [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/11156623/St-Helens-14-Wigan-Warriors-6-Moment-of-madness-from-Wales-international-Ben-Flower-costs-Wigan-dear.html|title= St Helens 14 Wigan Warriors 6: Moment of madness from Wales international Ben Flower costs Wigan dear|date= 11 October 2014 |work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/11/st-helens-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title= St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan's Ben Flower is sent off|date= 11 October 2014 |work=Guardian |access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/29559845|title= St Helens 14–6 Wigan Warriors|date= 11 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Cartwright|first1=Phil|title=St Helens v Wigan as it happened|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/rugby-league/29416637|access-date=12 October 2014|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=11 October 2014}}</ref>

On 23 January 2018, Roby was appointed captain for 2018. The 32-year-old took over the role from back rower Jon Wilkin.
[[File:Walmsley and Roby.jpg|thumb|right|Roby warming up for St Helens at [[Anfield]] in 2019]]
He played in the [[2019 Challenge Cup Final]] defeat by the [[Warrington Wolves]] at [[Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="St Helens 4-18 Warrington RESULT: Challenge Cup Final as it happened from Wembley">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/st-helens-vs-warrington-live-18996678|title=St Helens 4-18 Warrington RESULT: Challenge Cup Final as it happened from Wembley|publisher=Mirror|date=24 August 2019|access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref>

He played in the [[2019 Super League Grand Final]] victory over [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref name="St Helens give Justin Holbrook the perfect send-off with commanding Grand Final victory over Salford">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-league/2019/10/12/st-helens-vs-salford-red-devils-super-league-grand-final-live/|title=St Helens give Justin Holbrook the perfect send-off with commanding Grand Final victory over Salford|publisher=Telegraph|date=12 October 2019|access-date=25 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/oct/12/st-helens-v-salford-red-devils-super-league-grand-final-live/|title=St Helens 23-6 Salford Red Devils: Super League Grand Final – as it happened|website=The Guardian|date=12 October 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/11777123/st-helens-win-2019-super-league-league-leaders-shield/|title=St Helens win 2019 Super League League Leaders' shield|website=Sky Sports}}</ref>

===2020s===
In August 2020, Roby made his 500th career appearance in a 10–0 victory against [[Castleford Tigers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=James Roby makes 500th career appearance |url=https://www.rugby-league.com/article/57001/james-roby-makes-th-career-appearance |website=Rugby Football League |access-date=18 June 2022 |date=16 August 2020}}</ref> Roby played in St Helens 8–4 [[2020 Super League Grand Final]] victory over Wigan at the [[Kingston Communications Stadium]] in Hull.  Roby also won the [[Harry Sunderland Trophy]] as man of the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55072997/|title=Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

On 17 July 2021, he played for St. Helens in their 26–12 [[2021 Challenge Cup Final]] victory over Castleford, scoring a second half try.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/st-helens-celebrate-challenge-cup-21081897/|title=How St Helens players have celebrated their first Challenge Cup win in 13 years|website=Manchestereveningnews.co.uk|access-date=18 July 2021|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718102540/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/st-helens-celebrate-challenge-cup-21081897|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 9 October 2021, Roby played in his tenth grand final for St. Helens which was the club's [[2021 Super League Grand Final]] victory over [[Catalans Dragons]].  It was St. Helens third successive championship victory in a row.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58858850/|title=Super League Grand Final: Catalans Dragons 10-12 St Helens: Saints win three in a row|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

In round 7 of the 2022 Super League Season, Roby made his 500th appearance for St Helens in their 26–0 victory over [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12580344/james-roby-st-helens-captains-pride-at-reaching-500-appearances-for-the-club-hell-leave-an-exceptional-legacy/|title=James Roby reaches 500 appearances|website=Skysports.com}}</ref>

In round 15 of the 2022 Super League season, Roby broke the Super League appearance record with his 455th match in the competition.  Roby went on to score a try in the Saints 26–18 victory over [[Hull Kingston Rovers|Hull KR]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/61734683/|title=Super League: St Helens 26-18 Hull KR - James Roby breaks Super League appearance record|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

On 24 September 2022, Roby captained St Helens to a fourth successive Super League title as they defeated [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] 24–12 in the grand final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/24/st-helens-leeds-super-league-grand-final-match-report-rugby-league/|title=St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final|newspaper=The Observer|date=24 September 2022 |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron }}</ref>

On 18 February 2023, Roby captained St Helens to a one-point win over [[Penrith Panthers|Penrith]] in the [[2023 World Club Challenge|World Club Challenge]] at [[Penrith Stadium|BlueBet Stadium]] in Penrith. St Helens were considered large outsiders prior to the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/02/18/golden-field-goal-lifts-st-helens-to-world-club-challenge-title/|title=Golden field goal lifts St Helens to World Club Challenge title|website=nrl.com|date=18 February 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=St Helens stun Penrith to win World Club Challenge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/64666651 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref>
On 13 May 2023, Roby broke the all-time St Helens appearance record with his 532nd match for the club against Salford. [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] beat [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] 26-12.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65545807/|title=Super League: St Helens 26-12 Salford Red Devils - James Roby reaches landmark in Saints fightback|work=BBC Sport }}</ref>
Roby played 27 games for St Helens in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished third on the table. Roby played in St Helens narrow loss against the Catalans Dragons in the semi-final which stopped them reaching a fifth successive grand final. This would be Roby's final game as a player.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/23856044.paul-wellens-q-saints-review-year-look-2024/|title=Paul Wellens Q&A: Saints review of year and a look to 2024|website=www.sthelensstar.co.uk|date=14 October 2023 }}</ref>

==International career==
===Great Britain===
Roby made his international début for Great Britain the [[2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations|2006 Tri Nations]] during the tour against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] and [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]].{{cn|date=October 2022}}

===England===
Roby was selected for the [[England national rugby league team|England squad]] to compete in the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|2008 World Cup]] in Australia.<ref name="Purdham earns World Cup call-up">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=7 October 2008|access-date=7 October 2008}}</ref> 
[[File:James Roby.JPG|thumb|right|100px|Roby warming up for England in 2008]]
[[2008 Rugby League World Cup Group A|Group A]]'s first match against [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] he played at {{rlp|hk}}, and was named the man-of-the-match in England's victory.

Roby returned to international rugby league when he was selected to play for England against France in the one-off test.<ref>{{cite news 
|last = Hadfield
|first = Dave
|title = Widdop passes his first Test at a canter
|work = The Independent
|place =UK
|publisher = Independent Print Limited
|date = 13 June 2010
|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/widdop-passes-his-first-test-at--a-canter-1999087.html
|access-date = 8 July 2010}}</ref> In 2011, Roby played in the [[2011 Rugby League Four Nations]] and was part of the team that lost the final to Australia.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/15790587 | title=England 8-30 Australia | work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

In 2013 Roby was named in England [[2013 Rugby League World Cup|2013 World Cup]] squad but lost in the semi-final in the dying seconds to New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/25036184 | title=New Zealand 20-18 England | work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

After missing out on the 2014 Four Nations, Roby was selected in Englands 24-man squad to take on [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] in an [[2015 New Zealand rugby league tour of Great Britain|end-of-year test-series]]. In a warmup game before the first test against the Kiwis, England took on [[France national rugby league team|France]] in a test match. Roby scored two of England's 15 tries in their romp over their opponents<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/live/match/43791/report|title=England demolish France 84–4 in record win|publisher=Skysports.com|access-date=24 October 2015}}</ref> and went on to beat the Kiwis 2–1.

In October 2017 he was selected in the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup squads#England|England squad]] for the [[2017 Rugby League World Cup]].<ref name="England rugby league World Cup squad revealed - and James Roby is back in the fold">{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/james-roby-back-fold-wayne-11312505|title=England rugby league World Cup squad revealed - and James Roby is back in the fold|publisher=Mirror|date=9 October 2017|access-date=30 October 2019}}</ref>
In June 2018 he played against the Kiwis at [[Empower Field at Mile High]] in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]]. On 22 September 2021, Roby retired from international duty.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Roby retires from international duty|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58652341|access-date=2021-09-23}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.saintsrlfc.com/teams/first-team/james-roby/ St Helens profile]
*[https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/9/james%3Cbr-%3Eroby SL profile]
*[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=379#James-Roby Statistics at rlwc2017.com]
*[http://www.saints.org.uk/saints/player.php?num=16268 Saints Heritage Society profile]

{{Navboxes
|title= St Helens squads
| bg=white
| fg=red
| bordercolor=red
|list1=
{{St Helens - 2006 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St Helens RLFC - 2006 Super League Champions}}
{{St Helens - 2007 World Club Challenge winners}}
{{St Helens - 2007 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St Helens - 2008 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St Helens squad - 2014 Super League champions}}
{{St Helens - 2019 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{St Helens - 2020 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{St Helens - 2021 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St Helens - 2021 Super League Grand Final winners}}
{{St Helens - 2022 Super League Grand Final winners}}
}}
{{Great Britain 2006 Rugby League Tri Nations squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title= England squads
| bg=white
| fg=red
| bordercolor=red
|list1=
{{England 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2009 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2010 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2011 Rugby League Four Nations squad}}
{{England 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{England 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
}}
{{Harry Sunderland Trophy winners}}
{{Man of Steel Award}}
{{navboxes|title=Super League Dream Team|list1=
{{2007 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2010 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2011 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2012 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2015 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2018 Super League Dream Team}}
{{2022 Super League Dream Team}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roby, James}}
[[Category:1985 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Whiston, Merseyside]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Merseyside]]
[[Category:Rugby league hookers]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from St Helens, Merseyside]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C. captains]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C. players]]