St Helens ace Jonny Lomax’s sister could be their mascot – under a dog costume

JONNY Lomax faces being best in show if St Helens reach Wembley – if not, he could be going to the dogs.

For one of the people underneath the costume of club mascot Boots is his sister Samantha!

The England international has wowed on the field after moving back to stand-off from full-back following Ben Barba’s arrival.

But SunSport understands one of the main people leading any celebrations if Justin Holbrook’s side does the business against Catalans Dragons in Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final may be Lomax’s younger sibling, who sometimes helps out underneath a giant furry dog costume.

Saints team-mate Jon Wilkin revealed the secret, telling the : “Jonny’s sister being the mascot is quite weird. In fact, I can’t look at the mascot without thinking, ‘That’s Jonny Lomax’s sister in there.’

“It’s weird, isn’t it?”

In the meantime, Lomax, 27, is perfecting the arts of mind and body as he studies for a degree in physiotherapy while practising mindfulness – and both help him stay at the top.

“It was recommended to me so I started using the Headspace app to help with my life both on and off the field,” he said about mindfulness.

“It wasn’t to help with rugby at first, more just the day to day things.

“I’ve stuck with it and have done for six months. It’s useful and the physiotherapy is something I’ve thought about over the last couple of years. It takes my mind from rugby but it’s helped at the same time.

“It’s given me a better understanding and I can talk through potential ideas with the physios and conditioners at the club. It’s helped me in understanding what I’m doing rather than ticking a box.”

Catalans will pose a greater threat than when the draw was made two months ago.

Dragons prop Sam Moa, however, would love nothing more than to silence the fans who cheered when the pair was pitched together.

He said: “It didn’t sit well with some of us.”