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Forget Leeds Rhinos - the St Helens Rugby League team now have a real rhino of their own.

Knowsley Safari Park, sponsor of St Helens utility forward Chris Flannery, has named its new baby white rhino after the player who scored one of the tries which helped Saints to their outstanding Challenge Cup semi-final win over Leeds at the Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield recently.

‘Flannery’, as he is now known, is the first white rhino calf to be born at Knowsley for several years.

The ten-stone new arrival, with a rugby player’s physique, is the son of 14-year-old mum Meru and 28-year-old dad Bud. His birth two weeks ago, after a mammoth 17 months in the womb, has increased Knowsley’s crash of rhinos to eight.

Safari Park General Manager, David Ross, commented: “As we’ve just agreed to sponsor Saints and Chris Flannery for a second season we thought it was very appropriate to name our new ‘little big guy’ after the St Helens star.

“It recognises the huge impact that Chris has had on the club over the past year, and if it also helps to increase Saints’ friendly rivalry with the Leeds Rhinos, so much the better!”

Chris Flannery arrived at Knowsley Road in July 2007 from the Sydney Roosters where he made 121 first-team appearances. He also represented Queensland on 10 occasions.

Over the past year he has made 26 starts for St Helens, as well as three appearances as a substitute, and run in 10 tries, including the all-important opening score against Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final.

Chris, who visited the park to meet his namesake this week, said: “I am delighted that the attraction has chosen to recognise my efforts for Saints in this way - it’s a great honour for me and the club.

“It was a pleasure to see ‘Flannery’ looking so well, although understandably his protective mum wasn’t very keen on me getting too close to him while he’s so young.

“However, I’m sure he’s going to prove very popular with visitors to the Safari Park for a long time to come,” added the St Helens’ star.