Sarries

Saracens.......... on £500K a year, paid for by the RFU...... no team in S/L can match that and be competitive with the rest of the squad on a Cap of only £1.65m

How on Earth will he fit in playing RU? I honestly don't know where he'd play and whether he'll have the space to do what he does in League.



I personally think he'll be making a massive mistake going to Union and I'd lose any sort of respect for him. I would have thought he'd go to Australia. Let's hope so anyway.

Has the new money in the NRL started to materialise in contracts? Has the new sponsorship/salary cap arrangement started with this new season?

Agree it will be a mistake but it will be Union.



He's got a Union agent, a Union playing brother and a heap of Union mates. He'll go at the end of the season IMO (after our World Cup) to give him a couple of years to get ready for their World Cup in 2015.



He'll end up a bit part player in Union IMO because he won't have a position.

He's not good enough to play Union. He's a small time Rugby League charlie who can't catch or tackle. There is none of this open field running malarkey in Union. He'll be pinned and squashed repeatedly until he is forced back to league (With Warrington no doubt) with his tail between his legs.

Chris Ashton is half the player Sam is and he's Englands golden child

Seems like he has a couple more stone over Tomkins though and can actually tackle.



Are there any Union players who have a similar build to Tomkins?

Yup, they play in Japan or in the 7s tournament circuit.

Ashton can tackle? His defence is farcical!



Tomkins is an out and out league player, he should head to oz.

I think we've got some really good kids coming through now.



Jones, Walker and Greenwood all look to be good prospects. The three that have excited me most are definitely Percival, Walsmley and Swift though.



Percvial and Swift have got pace and a bit of size about them to suggest that when they fill out and gain more experience they are potentially quality players. Percival is the first Centre I've constantly seen break tackles since Lyon / Gidley (no, not saying he's a good before someone tries to twist my words). For a young kid, that is incredible especially when you consider it's his debut season and he's played against the league leaders and the Champions in 3 of his outings. Sure his defence needs work, but I think he'll be OK once he develops that side of his game.



Swift is incredibly quick and has a good step. He's tall and athletic and I think he's got real potential. I'm not sure on his position yet but he's done well wherever he's played for us.



Walmsley is an absolute wrecking ball. When his legs fill out he will be frightening. I love watching the guy, the fans lift when he comes on because he will run through a brick wall.

Percival doesn't score enough tries.

Tomkins will be at Warrington in 4 years time if he goes to Union.

I noticed his legs for the first time on Monday. They're relatively spindley for a bloke his size aren't they? And yet even with spindley legs he manages one hell of a drive in the tackle.



And you're right, the fans lift when he comes on. It's just wonderful to watch a prop doing a proper prop's stuff. He must get a real buzz from our reaction to him. I hope it inspires him rather than stresses him!

smell of desperation on here regarding Tomkins, he's a wigan lad and if it doesn't work out where ever he ends up he will be back at wigan.



back on topic, I hope percival turns out to be a top its exactly what England needs but I also remember hearing the same story with Foster, Gaskell, Wheeler, Nathan ashe and not so long ago lomax before scoring a few tries. I would wait for at least ten games to see how he's going.

I once talked to an amateur player who played against Maurie Fa'asavalu during a challenge cup draw game. He said he was an enormous bloke, but couldn't get over how spindly his legs were. Maybe Walmsley will do ok on his pipe-cleaners.

I wouldn't like to see the size of the legs of the guy who thought Maurie's were spindly!

Sia's got skinny legs.

Isn't he from Warrington?

Had a shirt with 7 -Langer on his back when he was young. Allegedly.

nope hes a southerner who supported warrington because alfie langer was he's favorite player then move to wigan and signed for wigan. But anybody who knows him personally now will tell you he is wigan through and through.

But he's from Milton Keynes so how can he?

Because although born in Milton Keynes he moved up to Wigan when he was very young (pre -school). Joel was born in Warrington and Logan in Wigan. Their dad WAS a Wire fan, I think their Grandparents still live just outside Warrington.

Unless your a tool like Jaybs you dont suddenly change which team you support. It's pointless as an argument though as this is a professional game and players play for who pays them , If Tomkins decided to leave Wigoon for whatever reason I have no doubt he would consider whoever offered him the most cash, at the end of the day playing careers are short and you have to do the best for yourself and your family. This is proved when you look at 'wigoon till I die' Hock and the other Tomkins brother who cleared off to chase the Union gravy train.

No.

Chris Dean and his dad were Wigan season ticket holders. When Chris went to Saints his dad supported his son and Saints, just as he now does at Widnes.



What about Gary Connolly?

And Jamie Foster.