SKIPPER Paul Sculthorpe has paid a glowing tribute to the young guns who may have to come of age in the Saints' smallish squad this term.

And he singled out teenage half-back James Roby as the player to keep an eye out for in Super League X.

Although Roby was only on the park for the last 13 minutes of Friday's game, he still managed to show good awareness to catch the dozing Widnes defence out with a late try.

And he would have scored with his first touch of the ball had the pass from Sean Long been better.

But it is the 19-year-old's willingness to have a go and attack the line, in the fashion of a young Andy Gregory, that has earned him recognition.

Sculthorpe said: "Of the young lads I really expect James Roby to push on and stand out this year.

"He will train the house down and has enjoyed a good pre-season, which has given him a confidence boost and he is looking really good.

"The first time I met 'Robes' was at an under 21s game and somebody said 'he thinks he is a second rower' because he is so tough and willing to have a go.

"He is scared of nothing and he has put a bit of size on the close-season."

Up front James Graham too has filled out and has trained well in pre-season and is looking to nail down the 'tackling' second row spot.