SAINTS are sitting pretty four points clear at the top of the Super League pile - and the contribution of half back Jonny Lomax has been one of the telling factors in that.

Lomax is a key component of the brains trust in the spine of the side featuring James Roby and Lachlan Coote which has been key to controlling Saints’ play.

Often unsung, Lomax marked his 200th game in the red vee with another top drawer performance with his two tries vital in getting the game back on track.

Saints boss Justin Holbrook was quick to lavish praise on the 28-year-old Billinger’s contribution.

He said: “Monday’s game was as good as a half back performance I have seen anyone play.

“It is really clear in how Jonny plays, what he needs and wants to do – and it has been great to watch.

“He is equally good at full back and half, but the great players – like the Darren Lockyers of this world ­— can do that.

“Jonny is in that category.

“It is suiting us perfectly with Cootey at the back and we are going really well.”

Read: Justin Holbrook Q&A>

Maybe significantly, Lomax did not play in Saints’ only defeat of the 2019 campaign so far when sickness forced him to pull out of the game in Perpignan.

But he will be in the line up when the Dragons head to St Helens for the return fixture on Sunday (3pm).

Holbrook knows exactly what to expect from a Dragons side that is very strong across the board.

He said: “There was not much in that last game between us and they scored their three tries off kicks.

“We let ourselves in that area but that was the only difference in the game between the sides in tough conditions.

“We were not poor that day – but we will work a bit harder this Sunday to get a win.

They are such a dangerous side with a massive pack of forwards, strong outside backs and now we are seeing Sam Tomkins in their side with Tony Gigot gives them some smart decision makers.

“They are a really dangerous side. Hopefully we can get a normal game of rugby league without all the gamesmanship that can go on.

“The Catalans v Castleford game was tough to watch and not the sort of light our sport should been seen in."