Royle, 22, is a Saints Academy product who has captained the club at every level, but has been limited to just four appearances this season.

Head Coach Kristian Woolf said on his initial loan deal: “It’s a great opportunity for Sam to play Super League at a good club. It is a real positive for his development.

“He has worked hard with us to put himself in a position to play a few games and this move will allow him to gain the confidence and experience and then return to us. It’s a good move for both Clubs.”

Sam is a second row from Thatto Heath who he played for from the age of 11. He signed for Saints Scholarship shortly after and progressed through the pathway. He won the Scholarship Player of the Year award in just his second season before moving up to the U19s.

Royle played for the Academy for three straight years and also represented Lancashire on three occasions against Yorkshire and the Aussie Schoolboys.

He captained the side in 2019 all the way to the Grand Final. His impressive form was rewarded as he picked up the Saints U19s Player of the Year award at the club’s annual awards dinner. He made four appearances for the reserves in 2020 before making his first team debut in 2021 against Salford.

Royle has made five appearances in total for the first team, including captaining the side in our narrow defeat to Castleford Tigers earlier this season.