St Helens have confirmed that their new captain following club legend James Roby’s retirement will be Jonny Lomax.
Lomax will take on the mantle after Roby called time on his incredible career meaning that St Helens now have a new captain for the first time since 2018, when Roby took over from Jon Wilkin.
Saints’ number six will step into the huge shoes left by James Roby however it’s not a completely new role as Lomax has been in and around the leadership group in recent years, captaining the club on occasions when Roby has been absent.
St Helens confirmed the news of Lomax’s appointment via a press release and their social media channels with the club stating: “St.Helens R.F.C. is proud to confirm that club stalwart, and modern-day Club great, Jonny Lomax is the Saints’ new captain.”
A one-club man, it marks a huge achievement for Lomax to be named as the club skipper given his boyhood fandom of the club that saw him rise through their academy to play 326 games for the Red Vee.
Jonny Lomax to lead St Helens into new era
Jonny Lomax celebrates with his Saints teammates. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com – 22/09/2023 Copyright: x xSWpix.comxt/axPhotographyxHubxLtdxPaulxCurrie/SWpix.comx SWP-2306-0031
It was always going to be a huge shift at the club when James Roby retired and it will only really be now that his successor as captain has been confirmed that the reality will set in for some.
Despite that seismic shift St Helens have got themselves a very good captain in Jonny Lomax, something he’s shown when he has deputised with the 33-year-old becoming one of the club’s most important men.
He also continues the trend of boyhood fans of the club captaining the side, something Lomax referenced when commenting on his new role.
Speaking to saintsrlfc.com, 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.”
“Robes is a huge act to follow”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 03/09/2022 – Rugby League – Betfred Super League Round 27 – St Helens v Toulouse Olympique – The Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens, England – St Helens s James Roby with Jonny Lomax & the Betfred Super League Leaders Shield. St Helens v Toulouse Olympique SWP-1840-0051
Lomax is in no doubt about the huge job he is taking on and he’ll try and emulate former captain James Roby in bringing Super League titles to St Helens and the Totally Wicked Stadium. He’ll likely still have the ear of his former captain who has remained with the club in a new role.
He told saintsrlfc.com: “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.”
“I’m confident Jonny can drive the team on to further success” – St Helens boss Paul Wellens
Jonny Lomax earning Man of the Match honours for St Helens. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 20/04/2023
It’s a key decision for Paul Wellens to make in just his second year as the club’s head coach but he has thrown his full weight of support into the appointment of Lomax as the club’s new skipper.
Having captained the club himself previously he is one to know what the role entails and heading into year two as a head coach, he’s looking at his number six to bring silverware and success back to St Helens.
Wellens explained: “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.”
The first opportunity for fans to see Lomax lead the Saints out in Super League will be when they host London Broncos on Friday 16th February, whilst the club also have a friendly clash with Salford Red Devils on Sunday 4th February.
