Instead of preparing to scale down his rugby commitments, the Royals stalwart has promised to continue playing ''as long as people keep saying I'm too old''.

Young will play his 400th club game today when Royals take on Wests at Phillip Oval today.

It's a milestone 23 years in the making after broken bones, painful injuries, more than 140 tries and premierships in every grade except first grade.

''It feels like it's about 800 games, I feel like I'm 62 not 42,'' Young joked.

''I think as long as people keep saying I'm too old, I'll keep going to prove them wrong.

''And I'm still enjoying it, if I ever stop enjoying then I'll probably give it away. But at the moment I can't stand watching and not being involved … it's the mateship which has kept me going.''

Young is fast becoming a club legend.

After making the transition from juniors to seniors in 1989, he has played in premierships, losing grand finals and seen Royals on the brink of collapse as they struggled to survive in the premier division.

He's played next to former ACT Brumbies coach Andy Friend as well as Wallaby Geoff Didier, Paul Cornish, Andy Clarke and Jim Taylor.

But the man preventing him from edging closer to the club's games record is one of his teammates - Royals president Brian Paule.

Paule has played more than 460 games for Royals and the veteran duo line up together in the club's fourth-grade side.

Add Chris Ferris to the mix and the team boasts more than 1100 games between just three players, with a tight race developing for the 500 milestone.

''If the body allows me to get to 500 then great, but it's going to be tough,'' Young said.

Young started his career as a scrumhalf, but has moved around the back line in his 23-year career.

He now plays fullback in fourth grade but is still capable of slotting anywhere in the back line when needed, even with 42-year-old legs.

Young usually wakes up on a Monday morning with aching joints and muscles - some that he didn't know existed. He even avoids training during the week to limit the bashing his body suffers.

''It's getting harder against the young guys coming through, but I guess you earn some respect at some stage,'' Young said.

''I broke my leg and ankle a few years ago and stuffed it again this year but it's starting to come good and I've never really thought about giving it away.''

While Young runs out for his 400th game, Royals will be fighting to keep their season alive when they take on second-placed Wests in first grade. Royals are three points outside the top four and need to deliver an upset to stay within striking distance of the finals.