James Lomas (26 August 1879 – 11 February 1960), also known by the nickname of "Jumbo", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s, 1900s, 1910s and 1920s, and coached in the 1920s.
three-quarter, and prominent goal-kicker, he captained the Great Britain national rugby league team.
After starting with his home town Maryport's rugby union club, Lomas switched to rugby league, playing for Bramley, Salford, Oldham and York in a career that lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923, and saw him set new transfer fee and point scoring records.
He is the younger brother of Tom Smith,[8] who played association football for Preston North End and Tottenham Hotspur.
[9] Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford in 1901[10] (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £35,890 in 2013).
His club record for most points in a game (39), achieved for Salford against Liverpool City on 2 February 1907, still stands today.
He was the subject of a book, The King of Brilliance: James Lomas – a Rugby League Superstar, which was published in 2011.