Jonny Lomax named St.Helens captain

Succeeding former teammate James Roby, who served the role with distinction from 2018 through to his retirement at the end of the 2023 season, Lomax will lead the Saints in 2024 as captain.

Lomax is proudly sponsored by LPL Building Services.

Jonny Lomax is proud to be a one-club man and product of our youth system having joined at the age of eleven and working his way through the Scholarship and Academy teams before making his senior debut in 2009.

Fast forward to now and the Saints’ half-back has played 326 times for the Red V, scoring 757 points and 133 tries. The former Orrell St. James junior has gone on to become an England and Great Britain international, and one of the very best talents in world rugby league.

Lomax’s remarkable list of achievements in his career to date includes being part of five Super League title-winning teams, playing in four successive Grand Final victories, lifting four League Leaders’ Shields, and bringing home a Challenge Cup from Wembley stadium, and a World Club Challenge trophy from Australia.

Saints’ #6 joins an illustrious list of men who have been Club Captain such as James Roby who is widely regarded as ‘The Greatest Of All Time’, as well legends such as Tom Foukes, Kel Coslett, Chris Joynt, and Keiron Cunningham to name just a few.

Jonny Lomax spoke to saintsrlfc.com about becoming our new Club Captain and said: “This is a huge honour for me, upon being told the news when we were in camp it was pretty emotional as well.

“I am a boyhood Saints fan and I stood on the terraces at Knowsley Road, so it’s quite nice to take over that mantle, it’s a huge honour, I’m proud of it. I hope to do everybody else proud as well with what we can do in the season ahead.”

Given the respect and success that the last Saints captain earned, it would be fair to say being the next man to be the Club Captain is a tough challenge, but Lomax is relishing that task as he looks ahead to a big 2024 campaign.

“Robes [James Roby] is a huge act to follow, but that’s for everyone too, but at the same time it’s quite exciting. Sometimes having a tough act to follow can get the most out of you. Like when people say that you can’t do things on the field, you’ve got that bit of stubbornness, that bit of, ‘Come on, we’ll get after it,’ and I think that’s what’s exciting about this year.

“We’ve not got the same pressure on us that we’ve had in previous years. It gives us a bit more freedom and something that we can sink our teeth into and get excited about the new season to come. At the end of the day, Pre-Season is the time when you can try and improve yourself, get better, but everyone wants to hit that field and play. That’s what we love doing and we’ll aim to bring back some silverware this year.

“Following on from Robes, it’s a huge ask, but he was a good person to learn from at the same time and he’s taught me some good lessons along the way.”

Head Coach Paul Wellens has had the honour of being Saints’ captain too and spoke with pride about appointing Lomax commenting: “It gives me great pleasure to announce Jonny as the new captain of St.Helens R.F.C., he has been an integral part of the Club’s recent success and for many years now has held and driven the very highest standard.

“As Head Coach I don’t feel I’m giving Jonny an opportunity, I very much feel like this is an opportunity earned by himself and I know that he will be immensely proud to lead the team in 2024.

“I feel confident that Jonny, with the support of his teammates, can drive the team on to further success in the future.”

Eamonn McManus, Chairman of St.Helens R.F.C., also shared his delight about the news and added:

“Jonny has been a leading player for St. Helens throughout his fifteen years in the First Team. No one is more committed or more dedicated to the Club and to its continued success at the highest level.

“He is highly respected throughout the Club and the game; he has all the attributes to lead us to further success. It’s also great to see that consecutive Club Captains have come through our Academy system who are lifelong Saints supporters.”