New St Helens captain Jonny Lomax says he wants the whole town to pull together as they look to reclaim the Super League title they lost in 2023.
Lomax was appointed Saints captain following James Roby’s retirement at the end of last season, leaving a huge gap to fill.
Lomax, a long time servant of the club earned the trust of coach Paul Wellens to take over as skipper.
Lomax said: ”I think its important sometimes for fans to realise that for all of us homegrown players, we were fans first. We want to make you all proud as well. We want to have good times and be together as one, our whole community, the team, and the club, because we want the same goal.”
He made his debut in in 2009 and has made over 300 appearances for the Saints. He has scored 133 tries and his entering his 16th season with the club.
Coach Wellens said:”As a 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.”
St Helens kick their season off in two weeks time and will be hosting newly-promoted side London Broncos in their first game.
Saints come into the the year with high hopes after what was a disappointing end to the season losing in the semi finals of then play-offs loosing 12-6 to Catalans Dragons.
Last season they failed to win any silverware and will be hoping to change that this year.
Something else all Saints fans should be looking out for is the emergence of the academy players. A number of future stars signed professional contracts at the end of the season. Scouser Noah Stephens, Leon Cowen, Will Roberts, Dayon Sambou and Jonny Vaughan all graduated from the academy.
The Saints academy finished last year strongly, winning the Academy Grand Final in dominant fashion.
And Jack Welsby is tipped to shine again this term. The 22-year-old was linked with a move to the NRL but he quickly quashed these rumours, committing his future to the Saints by signing a new contract at the club until 2027.
He won the Saints player of the year and has now been made one of the two vice captains.
He is seen by some as the best player in the Super League and is coming from an off-season which saw him become England’s youngest ever captain.
He guided England to two wins against Tonga as captain in November.
After losing to Swinton Lions 28-18 in their first pre-season game, Saints beat Salford 52-10 last weekend.
