JONNY Lomax has a great view from full back of how his teammates are operating and he is impressed with what he is seeing.

The 25-year-old, who says he is enjoying his rugby again after major knee surgery cut short his 2014 and 2015 seasons, is also pleasing boss Keiron Cunningham with his performances.

Lomax, lauded by Cunningham for his work at the back in Friday’s crucial home win against Catalans, highlighted aspects of the team’s defensive improvements that have typified displays in the current seven-match unbeaten run.

“We are working very hard for each other. We’re there covering our mates and there’s times earlier in the season when we possibly wouldn’t have done,” said the former Orrell St James Junior, now in his eighth season in the top flight.

“We’ve put emphasis on our retreat to get back into the line.

“Generally, if your retreat’s good – and it’s something I always try to talk up about moving the feet - you generally get the chance to see the big play coming.

“If you see the play coming, you can talk it up and you’re ready for it rather than one player not getting back and everything going to pot.

“The energy of the lads trying to get back into position has been the difference.

“We’re just enjoying doing the hard work that bit more. We’re seeing it’s paying dividends, and when you see something’s working you are prepared to work that much harder still.”

Full backs have a huge part to play in making sure the defensive shape is working correctly, advising teammates on positioning.

Cunningham singled out Lomax for praise against Catalans.

“I thought the full-back was phenomenal tonight,” he said.

“I’m talking about defensive stuff, the way he got his numbers right, the way he saved about three or four tries, he stopped a big play at the end in the 40-20 attempt.

“All that stuff that people don’t really take note of is the stuff that makes me happy.”

Soaking up pressure and responding with points scoring have been hallmarks of recent wins and Saints managed to do that with 12 men in the closing moments of the first half against Catalans, with Adam Swift’s converted hat-trick try handing them a 16-12 interval lead.

“That was massive for us,” said Lomax.

“It was against the run of play if we’re being honest. Down to 12 men, it’s good to get points on the board.

“The key was probably that we’d defended our own line and then managed to go down the other end and score points.

“A few months ago, we would have probably conceded.

“The win was massive, probably worth more than two points. We knew how important it was.

“It was a tough game. It ended up being a battle of attrition and that’s what these big games generally end up being.

“Sometimes they don’t look flashy but a result is a result, we ground them down and come away with two points that are essentially a four-point swinger for us.”