Just going back to the player drain to the NRL.
If, in a couple of years, the majority of the England team is made up of guys -laying in the NRL, do you think people would become more or less excited about an England fixture?
Would the fact that the majority of the stars are a little removed, so we don't see them every week and, to a degree, have the SL club ties erased mean we'd be more excited by the chance to see them play?

A good question , if that is the case I'd expect there to be more interest from fans in Aus and the risk would be for more internationals to be played over there. It could go either way interest wise , for me the big risk would be aus poaching our players to play for them like they do with NZ

Mmm, Interesting.

Some have mentioned the possibility of creating an international weekend.
When the SOO is on, England (now full of NRL based players) play NZ. You could play that in Auckland/Wellington.
Assuming it was well received, this would aid both England and NZ in retaining their players in the face of SOO.

It probably would but it would have to be timed at a weekend to get any live tv audience here at home. Dont get me wrong I'd sky + it but I wouldnt take a day off . There is a risk the England team becomes detached from it's roots but this would be a great time to bring back GB. Let us play home nations + france but play as gb against aus and nz

That could only happen if the SoO was a stand alone game on a free weekend.
If that does happen as suggested then that Intl between Eng and NZ could be a goer.
If SoO stays as it is now I can't see the other NRL clubs agreeing to releasing their English players. To force them it would have to be a "Full International" and that would be difficult if it only included NRL Englishmen. A full England team then the NRL clubs would have no choice but to replease their English players.

As for Sam, all seems to have gone quiet. Maybe NZW are getting worried over spending massive money when Sam is only playing in C Cup games.

Rumours around now that Wigan are close to signing Matty Bowen.
If true, a decent replacement for 2 years or so to help guide Tierney and Hampshire in full back play.
Would suggest that the rumours over the last couple of days that Sam T may not go to NZW are unfounded.

Matty Bowen was one of the stand out players a couple of years ago. But I have heard little of him since. he may have been injured or just a lack of form I dont know.
He is probably a better signing than the lads you have in place - but i would worry that he is now no longer the player he was.

Matty Bowen still a good player imo and will rip it up in super league as long as he is fit. Would be a little concerned with him being 32+. I would say he is faster than Billy Slater but not quite as elusive. He would be in my top 5 full backs in the NRL along with Slater, Inglis, Barba & Jarrad Hayne.

Trying not to be too biased, but it’s not only Wigan that might be sh*agged without him. Can you honestly say that it’s a good thing for SL if he goes?

It will be strange I have to admit when Sky will have to advertise a game like Leeds, St Helens, Warrington etc v Wigan instead of V Sam Tomkins. Although I am looking forward to seeing these bright up and superstars that Wigin have gone on about for years.

Well, I imagine when Eddie gets over his heartbreak and stops crying for 4hrs every weekend, it should be OK.

I cant really see how. He will still play for England/GB so the only team losing out is Wigan which is obviously a good thing. In general terms losing quality players to the NRL or Union in large numbers isnt good for the game in England. To counter that lot of people have said for a while that having some of our top players playing in the best comp will help our international chances, in the past our top players would go to Aus in the off season but obviously since 96 thats not been possible

I'd guess you don't watch too much NRL and are judging players on past reputation. Their are a few more FB's better than Bowen, Brett Stewert, Kevin Locke and josh duggen are better FB'S than Bowen.

If he was still one of the top players in the NRL he wouldnt be leaving as he'd be taking a paycut to play in an inferior league.

Bowen has knackered knees doesnt he? Would be chuffed if they traded Tomkins for him!

Why on this gods earth do we have a thread on the saints board about a Wigan player?

Quite.
If he goes, itll free up a huge wedge for wigan so they wont be too badly off. I'd rather he stays as id prefer to beat Wigan with him in than without him

Dont be so picky. I dont care if they play a team full of 8 year olds as long as we win. Winning is everything.

tbh if you dont like it , dont read it.

well you can only play whats infront of you, but little Sammy's face when they lose is a picture

That is true , it's always nice to see him look gutted.

I agree I don’t know why they keep saying it? If they don’t like it, don’t talk about it and find something else to moan about! I do lol.

This board is for discussion by Saints fans about RL topics, if they want to discuss oppostion players then they can.