James Roby deserves legendary status, insists Justin Holbrook

St Helens coach Justin Holbrook insists captain James Roby deserves to be regarded as a legend in the game.

Roby put in a man of the match performance to inspire the Saints to a 26-4 victory over Salford Red Devils at the AJ Bell Stadium on Thursday night.

The England international scored two tries in stellar display for his hometown club.

“He’s fantastic, isn’t he?” Holbrook said of Roby.

“It was late in the game and the only person following up an 80-metre break was Robes, so it sums he up really. It just adds to the legend status that is becoming of him and it’s deserved.

“I’m really happy to win our four games so far. I thought that was our best performance yet, it was a really good performance right across our 17 tonight and that was the most pleasing thing.

“Everyone contributed in every facet of the game and that’s why I’m so proud of our performance.”

Alongside Roby, Theo Fages had a standout game against his former club.

The France international has built up a superb combination with Jonny Lomax in the halves, and he earned plenty of praise from Holbrook.

“Theo is doing a fantastic job for us,” Holbrook acknowledged.

“He is a tough little competitor and is obviously enjoying the opportunities. He has taken them with both hands and is playing really well.

“We’ve started the year well and we controlled the game quite well again. It was a difficult night for both teams due to the conditions, but I thought we controlled the game really well and I’m happy with the team’s performance.”

Holbrook confirmed Saints have no fresh injury concerns from the game at Salford.