NATHAN Brown is hoping a big crowd fills Langtree Park this Friday as Saints take on Wigan Warriors for James Roby’s Testimonial.
The match will celebrate the career of the hooker who recently committed his future to the club.
Roby made his debut for Saints against Widnes in 2004 and he’s gone on to make 280 appearances for his hometown team.
“It will be a great occasion,” Brown said. “The fact he has re-signed for five years gives the club a good foundation. You can build a roster around players like that for the next four or five years.
“Robes has been a part of many trophy winning teams and I have no doubt with the squad we are building he will help bring the club more success. It would be good to have a big crowd here.
“It should be a good game too and more ramped up than what it was last Friday. Adam Swift should be fit to play, Sia Soliola, Luke Walsh and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook too. For us it will be our only strong hit out before Warrington really.”
Apart from Mose Masoe, Richie Beaumont and Luke Thompson, who are expected back in the early part of the season, Saints will be at full strength for the ‘friendly’ which will be the last real test of Brown’s side before Super League kicks off.
Shaun Wane has also indicated he will play as close to his main team too, with younger members of his squad getting a run out in the second half
“It will be an intense game,” Brown continued. “Wigan have their first comp game and the World Club coming up.You don’t fluke doing the double and Waney picked the right players for the right game at the right time. To do the double in this day and age, you have to be a good team. He managed their players very well and learnt lessons from the season before.”
In the build up to the match Brown has indicated who will occupy the number 6 jersey this season.
“We’ve looked at a number of options at 6 this season,” he said. “Our 9, 7 and 1 are set in stone with Robes, Walsh and Jonny and after trying a few different things it looks like we’ll run with Jordy (Jordan Turner) in that position and use Lance Hohaia more as a utility type of player.
“That would see Mark Percival and Josh Jones in the centres. Jonesy is a competent player who is really reliable. He won’t throw in a bad game and whether he is in the centre or back row he does a good job. We’ve trained with him in a number of positions and right centre looks like where we are going to play him.
“We have options in the pack too and players looking for opportunities. Carl Forster impressed on Friday and Greg Richards is improving… then you have Alex Walmsley and Kyle Amor too.
“We have good back up there and it will be interesting to see how the younger lads go this year.”
James Roby’s Testimonial match will see Saints take on Wigan Warriors on Friday Jan 31 (8pm).
Tickets are still available and you can also pay on the gate.
Prices are:
- Totally Wicked North and Solarking South Stands – £12 (adults), £10 (Senior Citizens over 60-years-of-age) and £5 (juniors).
- The Hattons Solicitors West Stand – £10 (adults), £8 (Senior Citizens over 60-years-of-age) and £5 (juniors).
You can buy these at the Ticket Office at Langtree Park, by calling 01744 455 052 or by logging on here.
You can find more details about James’ Testimonial events – and hospitality for the above game – by visiting www.jamesrobytestimonial.co.uk
