TONY Smith insists he would not swap Daryl Clark for anybody as Wolves’ young hooker prepares to face fellow former Man of Steel James Roby tonight, Thursday, kick off 8pm.

The 21-year-old scooped Super League’s highest individual honour last season with Castleford Tigers, while his opposite number returns to the St Helens side for his 350th career appearance.

Smith is an admirer of Roby having coached the 2007-winner when in charge of Great Britain, but believes there is yet more to come from his man Clark.

“They’re super players,” said Smith. “I know Robes and have coached him and admired him for years – probably sworn at him under my breath a couple of times, because of just how good he’s been.

“But I’m pretty happy with our young rake, he’s exciting and finding his feet with us. I thought he was terrific the past two weeks.”

However, Saints boss Keiron Cunningham recently labelled Roby as the man still setting the standard for nines in Super League.

“He’s certainly right up there, he’s a terrific player,” added Smith. “I’m not going to get into a slinging war – and I’m not going to swap Daryl Clark for anybody.

“He’s a fantastic young player and we’re excited about not only what he can do, but what he can do in the future and what he’s going to become.

“We can see that in him as well as being happy with what he’s doing at the moment.

“I’m not going to get into a war of words over who the best hooker is. That’s for them to settle not only tonight as a match up, but over a number of years.

“Both have been Man of Steel and who can deny they’re fantastic players? I love watching them.”

Smith expects it to be one of several great battles at Langtree Park.

“They’ve got some terrific young players as well that I’ve admired,” said Smith. “We’ve got some of our young boys coming through, it will be a good test for all concerned.”

Ben Westwood is another backing Wolves’ young guns for big things, praising their transition into the first team following the departure of Michael Monaghan, Paul Wood and Trent Waterhouse last year.

Westwood said: “We swapped Monaghan for Daryl Clark, so that’s one change, and I think Ben Currie was ready to take over House. He’s been playing for a few years now and coming off the bench. This year was the time for him to step up, even though he’s been moved around again through injuries.

“Joe Philbin’s got three games under his belt and is looking very promising. He’s done great in his first three games and scored a couple of tries. He’s been playing against some good players, so he’s done a really good job.

“It was the time to bring these youngsters through and I don’t think the changes have made a big difference, although we appreciate what the guys did before.”

And the fans’ favourite admits the club’s recent batch of stars have no need to come asking him for advice.

“The young guys these days are confident in what they do and coming into the team,” added Westwood. “That’s the kind of environment we’ve got.

“Anybody who comes in fits in pretty well. Back in my day when I was young I wouldn’t have dared speak to anyone.

“Now it’s more free flowing and they train with us every day, that’s how it should be.”