St Helens fullback Jonny Lomax has backed his opposite number in Friday’s top-four showdown with Hull FC to be in the mix for England honours come the end of this year.
The Saints take on Challenge Cup winners Hull FC, looking to cement their position in the top four and keep the pressure on the league leaders in the process.
And with Lomax set for a fascinating battle against FC fullback Jamie Shaul, Lomax insists he’s been impressed with how well the 24-year-old has played this season.
“Jamie has been killing it,” he told the Saints’ official website.
“Hull have a big pack and he has rolled off the back of them. He picks up their offloads and when he gets going there’s not many that will catch him. He is dangerous running with the ball and we have to be aware of his threat.”
Lomax also said that given how well Hull have performed as a team this year, it would be difficult to simply overlook the form of Shaul when it comes to England selection.
“He is certainly in with a chance of an England call-up,” he said.
“You can’t go as well as he has, and play for Hull who are going as well as they are, and not be in with a shout. A lot will depend on how him and Sam Tomkins go in the last few games of the season.”
And Lomax also stressed that with Hull on a high following Wembley glory last weekend, they will have to be wary of a side who the fullback describes as the competition’s in-form team.
“Hull are the best team on form at the minute and have been bouncing into each game better than anyone,” he said. “They will be on a high after winning the Challenge Cup and will want to take that forward.”
