Lomax: I'll kick on

The 21-year-old produced a series of outstanding performances in 2011 and was named Super League's young player of the year after being thrust into the scrum-half role for Saints.

Lomax was in line to make his England debut until picking up an ankle injury in the Grand Final.

But now fully recovered, Lomax is confident of being able to pick up from where he left off after being handed the number seven jersey ahead of Saturday's opening game against London Broncos at the Stoop.

"Last year I didn't really have much of a pre-season because of injury," said Lomax, who began the season at centre and also played at full-back and stand-off.

"I was wondering week to week whether I'd be playing full-back, wing or centre or maybe having to cover a bit at nine.

Confident

"I was kind of practising everything and not really getting the hang of one thing.

"This year I've had a good pre-season - the ankle turned out to be better than I thought - and I'm coming into the season feeling much more confident than I did last year. Hopefully I can kick on."

Lomax formed an exciting half-back partnership with fellow academy product Lee Gaskell and they will have an experienced old head to guide them this year after Saints recruited Kiwi international Lance Hohaia.

The former New Zealand Warrior starred for his country at full-back but has extensive utility value, which coach Royce Simmons intends to make full use of.

"He'll probably play in the halves but he covers full-back and hooker," Simmons said.

"Lee, Lance and Jonny have all been working in the halves for most of the off season but I occasionally run Lance a bit at full-back and little bit at hooker just in case we need to give Robes (James Roby) or Wello (Paul Wellens) a rest at any stage."

With Wellens struggling to overcome an Achilles injury, Hohaia could find himself at full-back on Saturday, with Roby set to captain the side.