SAINTS skipper James Roby wants a big, loud and hostile crowd help make home advantage tell of Saturday night as the club aims to become World Club champions for the third time.

The back-to-back NRL Premiers Sydney Roosters will be formidable opponents – but the veteran hooker says being able to call themselves the world’s best club side is a massive spur.

And seeing all four sides packed out and in full volume could give Saints a critical edge in bringing it home for the town.

Roby said: “For us as a club, and as a town, being able to say that we are the best club team in the world is a fantastic opportunity for us.

“There is also that huge sporting rivalry between England and Australia as well and we are kind of waving the flag for England and Super League as a whole.

“If we can go on and win this people will have fond memories for years to come, those players, staff, spectators and the town as a whole.

“The fans can play a part – the more hostile we can make it for Roosters the better. They have not flown all this way for nothing.

“We know that and we want to do our bit on the field.

“If we can really make it a packed house, and a loud, hostile and tough environment for them the better.”

It is Roby’s first game back since undergoing groin surgery in the off season – a real baptism of fire.

But having been there for more than 450 games and bought the t-shirt, Roby is not too concerned about not having a game to get his eye in.

“When I had my surgery we knew the timeframe to return to play, and we knew straight away that it was World Club Challenge week,” he said.

“The medical staff have been brilliant – they could have easily rushed me back a bit too early, but now I am ready to go.

“I have played here long enough so hopefully it is a case of just slotting back in – I know how we play and how each other click. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and doing what I do.”

Roby is the only remaining playing member from that last victorious night at Bolton when Paul Sculthorpe came off the bench as scored after returning from injury, and so maybe there is an omen there for the current Saints captain.

St Helens Star: Ade Gardner celebrates his second try. Picture: Bernard Platt

Roby smiled at the thought of that script, before recalling: “What a great night 2007 was – and have nothing but great memories of Ade Gardner outjumping their winger and scoring in the corner.

“It was an amazing feeling and I have been lucky enough to have been involved in these in the past, and I know how special these games are.

“For me it should be up there with the Grand Final…how many opportunities do you get to call yourself the best in the world.”

But before any of that there is plenty of hard graft to do – and Saints’ cause has not been helped by the absence of outside backs Lachlan Coote, Regan Grace and, in all likelihood, Mark Percival.

However, Roby’s presence – on top of last week’s returns of Tommy Makinson, Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley – is a boost.

And having seen the Saints pack rise to the challenge against Hull on Sunday – after a bit of criticism at the Warrington game – Roby knows a repeat effort is needed.

“Roosters are a big aggressive pack – a lot of them are internationals – and they are full of speed and skill across the board.

“It is a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves against them.

“We will have to wait and see if the conditions play a part in the style of the game, but as a forward pack we are really looking forward to it,” Roby said.