confirmed as to playing!

how can this possibly help RL?!

How does it harm it?

This is a way for Sam and Wigan to avoid a salary cap meltdown. Nice bung for Sam playing outside of the Rugby League scope for earnings restrictions. It's also the first step in a long line of delicate negotiations to get Sam into Rugby Union by 2013. If they're paying £400k for his inferior brother then what will they pay Sam? He's gone.

FB or outside centre for the RU Lions tour to Australia 2013.

I'd put money on it...

Too small for full back for me. And defo too small for centre in either code.

England currently lack a flair fly half who can take on the line, this is what I believe they will be looking at Sam for. Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood simply not good enough. I'd put my mortgage on this is where Sam will be being targeted for in time for next RU world cup which is here and we will be desperate to win it.

Possibly but I think outside centre.

Have a beast of an inside centre to create the space for Sam to work his magic outside.

Well done Wigan and the RFL allowing this to happen! Seriously the RFL should have said to Wigan and Tomkins he is a CONTRACTED League player and as such he should not be promoting other sports or helping to get a Union Contract in 3 or 4 years-as will what happen. The game of RL is run by pillocks like Nigel Wood who seems to think its a good idea.

“I’m sure Sam will be successful on Saturday when he plays his first match in an unfamiliar code because he’s a hugely talented Rugby League player, one of many our sport is producing,” said Wood.“Rugby League has an outstanding track record in developing its own players and is continuing to show union the way ahead. Sam’s inclusion in a sport he knows little about is proof of that. You only have to look at how often union has turned to Rugby League players and coaches over the last 15 years to see the calibre of talent we have in our midst.It’s obvious to even the most casual of observers why union continues to covet Rugby League players whose sheer athleticism and outstanding skills with ball in hand make them extremely attractive to the other code of rugby.Sam’s selection underlines that imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Both Sam and Rugby League should feel flattered.”

How nieve and pathetic. What the hell is the blue eyed boy of the RFL doing playing in a Union Circus event? How on earth does it help RL? Do you think any top Union player would be allowed to play for the Exiles for example and the RU coming out with such rubbish? Seriously its no wonder the game is looked down upon when you have such idots like Wood running the game.

The game isn't looked down upon, you have to remember it's a miority sport in England and will never be able to compete with RU or Aussies RL for £££s and profile.

Woods is making the point the the sport even though not often thought about down south is actually where the real talents at, don't you think this is good for RL?

I see parents watching junior RU and always passing comment on the dual code players in RU as having better overall skills, so guess what? they go and sign them on with RL in the off season to improve their son's skills. Woods is just cementing this point and it can only attract budding RL and RU stars to the beautiful game that is RL.

Tomkins won't play fly half, hasn't got a good enough boot. Inside centre or full back.

The game is a laughing stock. Ever heard Soccer fans or general sports fans on how they see a team that has lost 3 games in 2 years and won the League Trophy twice and Grand Final once are forced to stay down whilst another team who struggled to make the play offs is promoted over everybody else or that teams in SL can go in to administration and lie about grounds and nothing happens. The game is looked down upon for such things and laughed at. The media treat us like dirt. Wood and the idiots at the RFL should be looking to build the game up and not allowing Englands alleged best player and known player to go flaunting his talent in a another sport especially one which has a History of now snaring our players. Why might as well wave the white flag and say to Rugby Union- Here come and take our best players its OK we are just a minority Sport.

If you really believe people will pay much attention to the Union Circus on the weekend just because Tomkins is playing and think oh he looks good I will put my kid in a League team then you are living in a dream. The Barbarians game is so important in Union that there are Union League games on and the Welsh are pulling out. The press are not reporting much on it or Tomkins so its not exactly promoting Rugby League. Tomkins is signed for 3 years to play Rugby League. He is the highest earner in the ENglish game yet thats not enough. He should have been told that he is not allowed to play. And as for this BS that the players are tired and near burnout well whats he doing playing? He should be having a rest. The only winners in this is Union and Sams and probably Wigans bank account

I must living the dream as I can't wait to see ST give RU a crack.... wouldn't normally watch the Barbarians.

Kids are playing RL after playing RU along side RL players, it's not dream world it's a fact.

Think you'll find ST has a cracking boot and can apparently use both feet!! It's catching he has a problem with!! He is a decent place and goal kicker just doesn't get chance at Wigan

Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504

Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504

Quote ="halifaxjohn"icon_motor.gif Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504 '" Shame, don't think he'll such much of the ball out on the wing

Quote ="halifaxjohn"icon_motor.gif Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504 '" Shame, don't think he'll such much of the ball out on the wing

Shame he didnt use his boot in 4 nations as Sinfield and Chase were shocking

Been selected on the wing........ I am sure he will have chance to dazzle the Twicker's crowd with the 2 passes he will receive.


rah rah rah

Probably been shifted out to the wing after someone watched the 4 Nations Final

Much ado the other week over Fax fans wishing FCHT good luck, yet the same messageboard users are now discussing the merits of Barbarians RU......

Only interested in Rugby Union when an Ex Leaguer or In Sam's case present Leaguer plays.
Love to see them do well and show the world what great players League produces.
However, was in Roxies in SB watching Wendyball, (after watching KCPark) and only turned to the Union screen as Sam scored.
So, don't know how well he played,
Don't know how much of the ball he got, but, judging by the score line, don't think he will have got much.
By the way, Newcastles penalty was never a penalty.

The game was absolute crap and somes Union up well with poor defence, even worse passing and the FB for the Barbarians a joke. Sam did OK in a foreign game. Took his try well and possibly would have scored more if he didnt have such a useless centre. The standards was shocking and I cant imagine Tomkins was too impressed as the writeups are saying much the same as me.

Aye his outside centre was shocking, would have had a certain try in 1st half if he just executed a simple 1 on 1. No wonder he can't get in the NZ all black squad.

It was garbage, tackling non-existant and Cipriani was totally e.

totally agree, Cipriani was an embarrasment to himself, shockingly bad

I'd say by and large at lot of games boil down to who can 'win' and kick most penalties.