SAINTS skipper James Roby — along with his predecessor Jon Wilkin — are the only two remaining members of the last team to play at Wembley back in 2008.

But he knows Catalans will provide a formidable obstacle between Saints and a return to the national stadium.

Particularly fascinating will be Roby’s duel with long-term adversary Micky McIlorum - the former Wigan nine being described as a player who ‘whacks hard for his size’.

Roby said: “Catalans are playing fantastically well at the moment and have really turned the corner.

“Over the last couple of months they have been picking up wins and clawing up the table.

“They will be coming to the game confident off the back of that and that is what you want. You want a big game in a cup semi-final and it will bring out the best in us.

“They have good players too. Micky McIlorum is a tough uncompromising player.

“He is a great player, always an aggressive type of player who likes to lead his team from the front in terms of going out and trying to whack people.

“He is probably smaller than me, but he can definitely whack people.

“I rate him as a great player and a really tough lad. He is going to be doing all he can to stop us going to Wembley.

“But I am excited by the challenge. I like duels and I like playing against the big players.”

"They are a big, aggressive, uncompromising pack the way they play but we will be ready for that and will have to match that.

“We know it is coming down the middle but we’re ready for that and will enjoy the challenge.

"Knowing Justin and the staff, they will prepare us for it and there will be no stone left unturned and all the information we need will be there for us to assess and go out and perform.

“We know we need to focus and live up to the standards we set here. We know there are a few areas we need to sharpen up on going into the game but if we commit to the vital details then we have a good chance.”