Great Britain shirts are the most cherished, admits James Roby

Drew Darbyshire 25 Jun 2019 7:38 AM

Great Britain star James Roby is happier than most to see the Lions return after a 12-year absence.

The St Helens captain is one of only eight players who were selected in the most recent Great Britain squad in 2007 who still play professionally today – alongside Sean O’Loughlin, James Graham, Sam Burgess, Danny McGuire, Jon Wilkin, Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Gareth Ellis.

Roby won seven caps for Great Britain in his early days and has gone on to play 30 times for England.

The 33-year-old commented: “I remember growing up and watching legends play for Great Britain in classic matches against Australia.

“It is such an iconic jersey. I’ve been lucky enough to wear the jersey in the past and I’ll be doing everything I can to wear it again this year.

“I think the brand of Great Britain is so powerful. It is the biggest honour you can achieve and generations have grown up watching Great Britain.

“I’ve got all my Great Britain shirts in boxes at home. I don’t know what I plan to do with them. I will probably get them framed some day but the Great Britain jerseys are so iconic and recognisable. The golden lion is great.”

Roby’s St Helens team-mates Regan Grace and Morgan Knowles have represented Wales at international level previously, while Lachlan Coote has pulled on the Scotland jersey three times.

And Roby believes his three team-mates are certainly capable of making Wayne Bennett’s Lions squad for their tour of the southern hemisphere this autumn.

He added: “There are a few lads that are eligible from other countries.

“They will be doing everything they can to be selected by Wayne so it definitely increases the quality of the players.

“I think they would be fantastic for us and I’d back them to make the grade, definitely.”