SAINTS’ long-serving half back Jonny Lomax has spoken of his pride after being appointed the club’s new captain for the 2024 season.

The 33-year-old Billinger succeeds James Roby, who wore the armband with distinction from 2018 until his retirement at the end of the 2023 season.

Former vice captain Lomax will be entering a remarkable 16th season in the red vee and has played 326 times, scoring 757 points and 133 tries.

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The former Orrell St James junior has come through Saints’ youth system, having joined aged 11 and working his way through the Scholarship and Academy teams before making his senior debut under Mick Potter in 2009.

What Jonny Lomax said about being made Saints captain

Lomax said: “This is a huge honour for me, upon being told the news when 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.”

Lomax has big shoes to fill in replacing the legendary fellow one-club man Roby, but it is a challenge he is relishing ahead to a big 2024 campaign.

“Robes is a huge act to follow, but that's for everyone too, but at the same time it's quite exciting,” Lomax said.

For the first time since the start of 2019, Saints go into the campaign without the tag of champions, something that Lomax believes will take some of the pressure off. 

Lomax said: “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.”