AFTER his quick thinking helped set up England’s first try at Hull, Saints’ versatile Jonny Lomax is relishing the short trip down the East Lancs Road to Anfield on Sunday as they aim to clinch the series against New Zealand.

And he is expecting plenty of Saints fans to swell the crowd in Liverpool to present a backdrop fitting of this elite level.

But he is also hoping plenty of people from the football-mad city turn out and see what the 13-man code is all about in the flesh.

Lomax said: “It would be nice for the Liverpool people to come out and see what the game has to offer. St Helens has been the sort of little brother to the football teams of the area.

“Hopefully we can put on a spectacle and few people can buy into the game

“It’s exciting times to get the opportunity to play at Anfield. It’s close to home being a St Helens lad so hopefully it’ll be a great occasion with a good crowd there.

“If the Saints fans can get behind it, it will be fantastic and I am sure there will be travelling support from the rugby league community. The more numbers the better.

“It’s an honour to grace that field playing for England, it’ll be a huge occasion and hopefully they’ll get behind us and as a team we can be loud and proud.”

Despite playing in the halves all year, Lomax dropped back to full back with aplomb in the first test.

And, all being well, he will collect his eighth international cap in Liverpool.

And he expects another tense, tight, physical encounter - something they must live with and rise to if they are to wrap up the Baskerville Shield.

“It was tough game, a real war of attrition with just two points in it, but the lads hung in there together.

“We can potentially move the ball a bit more and New Zealand will come with that mindset as well

“Although we are 1-0 up, the Kiwis will be putting as much emphasis on this game as we are, and I have no doubt there’ll be a tough battle.”

After a strong World Cup last year, in which he played in the final, Lomax knows the importance of playing for his country ­— and that has been key to his international performance.

“It’s just about being prepared to go that little bit further and do that little bit extra, which should be a given when you’re playing for your country.

“Any opportunity you get to pull on the England shirt is a great honour and you end up wanting to give that little bit more and make your family and friends proud and the country proud,” Lomax said.