St Helens hooker James Roby has shrugged off rumours linking him with a move to the NRL in the off-season – insisting that he’s “Saints through and through”.

Roby still has three years left on his deal with the club he’s spent his entire career with, but reports did emerge over recent months suggesting there was interest from Australia over a move for the hooker.

However, Roby told TotalRL.com that it was simply nothing more than speculation, and he fully intends to see the rest of his deal out with Keiron Cunningham’s side.

“It was all speculation, wasn’t it? It’s obviously nice to be talked about though! But no, there was nothing in them and nothing to read into it,” he said.

“I’ve got three years left on my contract at St Helens and I fully intend to see those remaining years out which will take me to the age of 33.

“I’m not sure there’ll be many teams wanting a 33-year-old hooker then, but St Helens is my club, I’m Saints through and through and I just don’t want to go anywhere else.”

Roby has competition at hooker too this season – with youngster Lewis Charnock and new arrival Theo Fages direct challengers for the hooking spot – and he’s a fan of the strength in depth the Saints have all across the park.

“We’ve got genuine depth all over the park now and that is an area I feel we’ve really improved in,” he said.

“I welcome the competition for my role if I’m being honest because that’s what drives everyone on to be competitive – I can’t see it being negative at all.”