The 10 oldest players in Super League in 2023
Photo: Craig Thomas/News Images
St Helens legend James Roby will be the oldest player in Super League this season at 37 years of age.
The former Great Britain and England international will enter his 20th season with his hometown club in 2023.
Roby is joined at the top of the list by his St Helens team-mate Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who turns 37 in the middle of January.
The 10 oldest players in Super League in 2023:
1. James Roby – 37 (22/11/1985)
Roby is one of the greatest players Super League has seen. He broke the all-time Super League appearance record held by Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield last season, having played 522 games for St Helens during his career.
The legendary hooker has won six Super League Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge with Saints, who will be favourites once again with the new 2023 bookmakers that allow people to wager on rugby league.
2. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook – 36 (14/01/1986)
Although a born and bred Londoner, McCarthy-Scarsbrook is an adopted Saint, having spent the last 12 seasons at the club.
The 36-year-old forward has won five Super League Grand Finals with St Helens and a Challenge Cup. He has represented England and Ireland on the international stage.
3. Chris McQueen – 35 (03/08/1987)
The 35-year-old has proven to be a masterstroke of a signing from Huddersfield, scoring 23 tries in 56 appearances.
McQueen, a former England international, won the Lance Todd Trophy in Huddersfield’s defeat to Wigan in the 2022 Challenge Cup final. He was also named in the 2022 Super League Dream Team.
4. Adam Sidlow – 35 (25/10/1987)
Sidlow has returned to Salford for 2023 to reunite with his former Toronto coach Paul Rowley.
The 35-year-old prop came through the ranks at Widnes before going on to play for Workington, Salford, Bradford, Toronto and Leigh. He’s made almost 350 career appearances.
5. Chris Hill – 35 (03/11/1987)
Hill might be 35, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. His impressive performances for Huddersfield last season saw him earn a call-up to England’s World Cup squad.
The prop has made more than 500 career appearances, having spent seven seasons at Leigh and 10 at Warrington.
Hill, a two-time Challenge Cup winner with Warrington, has represented England in three World Cups.
6. Ryan Hall – 35 (27/11/1987)
The 35-year-old has been one of the finest players in the Super League era, scoring 264 tries in 376 games for Leeds and Hull KR.
Hall won six Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge whilst with the Rhinos.
Hall has won 47 caps on the international stage for Great Britain and England.
7. Michael McIlorum – 34 (10/01/1988)
McIlorum became a fan favourite during his days at Wigan, winning two Challenge Cups and two Super League titles with the Warriors.
The 34-year-old moved to the south of France in 2018 to link up with Catalans, where he has made almost 100 appearances. He helped the Dragons win their first-ever Challenge Cup in 2018.
McIlorum has played in four World Cups – two for Ireland and two for England.
8. Shaun Kenny-Dowall – 34 (23/01/1988)
The former New Zealand international has been one of Hull KR’s best-ever overseas signings. He has played 65 games over the course of three seasons.
Kenny-Dowall, who captained the Combined Nations All Stars in 2022, won the NRL Premiership with Sydney Roosters in 2013.
9. Suaia Matagi – 34 (23/03/1988)
The former New Zealand and Samoa international made the switch to Super League in 2018. He spent three seasons at Huddersfield before moving to Castleford on loan, then making the move permanent.
Matagi will be the oldest and most experienced player at the Tigers in 2023.
10. Leroy Cudjoe – 34 (07/04/1988)
Cudjoe is a Huddersfield legend, having made more than 300 appearances for his hometown club since 2008.
The 34-year-old won 10 international caps for England between 2010-13.
In addition to this list of 10, there are also five players who are in the 34 club – Manu Ma’u (24/08/1988), Jermaine McGillvary (16/05/1988), Danny Houghton (25/09/1988), Stefan Ratchford (19/07/1988) and Mike Cooper (15/09/1988).
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