The Wigan Warriors wonder tops rugby union’s wanted list in the wake of England’s embarrassing World Cup debacle in New Zealand.
Several mega-rich union clubs will be scrutinising and analysing Tomkins’ every move as he plays for England against the world’s best rugby league players in the Four Nations Tournament.
Wigan’s resolve could well be tested to the limit at the end of it with lucrative offers from union clubs imminent. His explosive running style and natural ability means the
22-year-old (left) is an ideal target for England RU’s rebuilding plan.
His elder brother Joel has already jumped ship, opting out of Steve McNamara’s England squad as he lines up a shock cross-code switch with Saracens.
Kevin Ashcroft, the former Warrington and GB star believes a move to union for Sam is a red-hot certainty, although he hopes Wigan and the RFL can do all they can to prevent it happening.
“The best bet you can have right now is to put money on him playing rugby union before the start of the next Super League season,” said Ashcroft.
“We can no longer live and compete with union as far as money is concerned.
“It’s time our game got a real grip and looked after our young players.
“I just don’t think we can stop the talent drain because we haven’t got the money.
“It’s a short career and a player has to cash in, it’s a case of making hay while the sun shines.
“A player can possibly earn five times more in union and it is an appealing prospect because if you were to break your leg no one would be interested in you in the next 12 months and you would be worth 30 bob! Sam is the finest naturally-talented player to emerge on the rugby league scene since Alex Murphy and Roger Millward. Gone are the days when league had the power to target the best union players.
“Take out the likes of John Wilkinson at Salford and other long-term backers and we would have major problems. Union now has total power and control and Sam would be an absolute ‘wow’ if he was to go into rugby union.
“There is the added attraction and buzz of playing international rugby in front of 70,000 crowds. He would be the first name on the England team-sheet if he was to go into union. I can fully understand why they want him and why his name has already been included in a list of future rugby union stars.
“He has everything and with more room in rugby union he would be an absolute sensation.
“It really pains me to think our emerging talent is slipping through the net but it comes down to money and it’s no contest. I’m convinced Sam will be on his way to union sooner, rather than later.”
The Four Nations kicks-off on Friday with a blockbuster in Warrington between Australia and New Zealand.
The Aussies are red hot favourites to again dominate the competition. Tweet
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I dont really know where Ashcroft is coming from with regard to some of his comments and I think he should get his facts right first.
Rugby Union is far more reliant on backers than Rugby League and is subsidised by those backers to a far greater extent. Only Leicester and Northampton make a profit and the likes of Sale, Newcastle, Wasps, Saracens etc would all be gone without their rich sugar daddies. Few clubs own their own grounds and some owners such as Hayes at Wasps already want out after years of losses. Kennedy at Sale too has indicated he is not prepared to fund them indefinately. Over £20 miilion of losses in a season between 12 Rugby Union clubs does not point to a healthy financial state at all. This year promises to be even worse with dismal attendances so far. If more of the Rugby Union sugar daddies pull out then we could see a major decline in Rugby Union and collapse after collapse. Indeed it would make the demise of the like of Richmond, Bedford, Bristol etc look small fry.
I dont really know where Ashcroft is coming from with regard to some of his comments and I think he should get his facts right first.
Rugby Union is far more reliant on backers than Rugby League and is subsidised by those backers to a far greater extent. Only Leicester and Northampton make a profit and the likes of Sale, Newcastle, Wasps, Saracens etc would all be gone without their rich sugar daddies. Few clubs own their own grounds and some owners such as Hayes at Wasps already want out after years of losses. Kennedy at Sale too has indicated he is not prepared to fund them indefinately. Over £20 miilion of losses in a season between 12 Rugby Union clubs does not point to a healthy financial state at all. This year promises to be even worse with dismal attendances so far. If more of the Rugby Union sugar daddies pull out then we could see a major decline in Rugby Union and collapse after collapse. Indeed it would make the demise of the like of Richmond, Bedford, Bristol etc look small fry.
I dont really know where Ashcroft is coming from with regard to some of his comments and I think he should get his facts right first.
Rugby Union is far more reliant on backers than Rugby League and is subsidised by those backers to a far greater extent. Over £20 miilion of losses in a season between 12 Rugby Union clubs does not point to a healthy financial state at all. Indeed only Leicester and Northampton make a profit and the likes of Sale, Newcastle, Wasps, Saracens etc would all be bankrupt without their rich sugar daddies. Saracens have lost £13 million over the last 3 years, only got 5,000 to their last match and dont own a ground. Few clubs own their own grounds and some owners such as Hayes at Wasps already want out after years of losses. Kennedy at Sale too has indicated he is not prepared to fund them indefinately. This year promises to be even worse with dismal attendances so far. If more of the Rugby Union sugar daddies pull out then we could see a major decline in Rugby Union and collapse after collapse. Indeed it would make the demise of the like of Richmond, Bedford, Bristol etc look small fry.
Thanks Kev, the Union clubs don't need to look at him with the endorsements you've just gave them, if Sam goes it will be a sad day but having recently signed a 5 year contract Mr. Lenegan will want mega bucks for him, and not all League players settle in Union, lets face they've not come up with any money for Joel yet even though he's allegedly signed for Saracens.
Who needs the Grim Reaper with the likes of Kevin around! The fact is that RU is in a financial mess with a few "sugar daddies" bank-rolling clubs. The game is dire as a spectical as the recent World Cup showed - players standing around doing nothing for most of the game with the ball out of play more than it's in and too many games sorted out with either NO tries or the bulk of points coming from kicks. Very poor!
One of the best talents produced by Rugby League for years, and it will be a loss for both Wigan and England. I'm a Wigan fan and don't want him to go.
However this is a lad who pulled on an England shirt and was booed by fans at the Exiles game earlier in the season.
No matter who you are if someone comes along and doubles, triples or quadruples your money for basically doing the same job, you would be mad to say no.
Sam i can understand being wanted, but Joel ?
Where do Union want to play him ? I can only think in the back row or at centre.
I don't think he has the skills or can develope the skills of a back row forward in Union.
He played centre this year and to me it was a disaster. He may have scored a great try at Wembley, but watching him week in week out, you can see his limitations.
No matter what happens, there is a lot of talent being developed in Wigan and the surrounding areas to keep Rugby League going.
bad news if true, because watching tomkins for me has been the highlight of super league since he burst on the scene in the challenge cup. i dont know much about the financial backing within union, mainly because i refuse to watch the game due to the constant interuptions in play and the lack of real pace and excitement on show.
RL is the only oval ball game for me, it'll be interesting to see whether sam is booed again whilst wearing the england shirt in the 4 nations.
This article is complete and utter nonsense in almost every respect, and completely wrong about what Sam Tomkins will be doing. Saracens got the wrong one, thankfully.