James Roby

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = James Roby
fullname = James Roby
nickname = Robes


image_size= 200px
caption =
country =
position = Hooker
currentclub = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
clubnumber = 14
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|11|22
placeofbirth = Whiston, Merseyside
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=5|in=10
weight = 13 st 7 lbs (86 kg)
club1 = leagueicon|St Helens|size=16 St Helens
year1start = 2004
year1end = present
appearances1 = 109
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 100
teamA = Flagicon|Great Britain Great Britain
yearAstart = 2006
yearAend =
appearancesA = 5
triesA =
goalsA =
fieldgoalsA =
pointsA = 4
teamB = Flagicon|England England
yearBstart = 2008
yearBend =
appearancesB = 1
triesB =
goalsB =
fieldgoalsB =
pointsB = 0
updated = 12:47, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
source =
new = yes

James Roby (born November 22, 1985 in Whiston, Knowsley, Merseyside) is a rugby league player who plays for St. Helens RFC.

Roby made his debut in 2004 against the Widnes Vikings after progressing through the academy ranks at St. Helens RFC. He usually plays as a hooker and has plenty of experience already, playing alongside some of the greats of the game including Keiron Cunningham. Roby has made a massive impact for St. Helens and has played over 50 games for them.

In Super League X, James was narrowly beaten to the Young Player of The Year. St. Helens RFC see James as one of the brighter prospects and he seems a perfect replacement for Keiron Cunningham when he retires, 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.

James was an integral part of the St. Helens side that defeated the Huddersfield Giants in the 2006 Challenge Cup and has been awarded with his performances this season by being called up to the Tri Nations squad and making his international debut during the tour against Australia and New Zealand. He holds the honour of scoring the first try at the new Wembley Stadium, scored during St Helens' victory over 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 the 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 2005-2007, with Jamie Lyon (2005) and Paul Wellens (2006) winning the award previously.

James attended Cowley Language College from 1997 - 2002 then went on to the Sixth Form. He also went on to Liverpool John Moores University studying Sports Science but dropped out in his first year to concentrate on his rugby.

He received the Super League 2007 Man of Steel Award, beating favourite Trent Barrett and team-mate Paul Wellens. [http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/st-helens/2007/10/09/saints-star-james-roby-lands-man-of-steel-award-100252-19919469/]

He has become somewhat of a cult hero in rugby league, due to a video of him on youtube miming the words to Mike + The Mechanics "Over My Shoulder", with references being made at matches and on tv.

He played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat to the Leeds Rhinos.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-04|accessdate=2008-10-05]

He has been named in the England squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656553.stm|title=Purdham earns World Cup call-up|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-6NMa93e5s James Roby looking back over my shoulder video]