Great move for Sky and RL in general. Sam Tomkins is joining Sky's commentary team. Well done Sam, well done Sky.

I am pleased for the lad... lets face it, just like Leon Pryce he showed so much promise but then when the chips were really down, against first rate opposition, he crapped himself and went missing for 80 minutes.

...or do you mean that he hasn't decide to retire and the Sky gig is only part time?

does that mean more eddie n stevo brown nosing? if so, mute button will be in use even more this season!!

Great for Sam but why just Sam? Taking nothing away from him but there are more experienced players in Super League that could be used. At each game they should include a player that has some link to the teams playing instead of just coaches.

Happy with this.

Not many other sports you get to hear what the star players have got to say, the footie show in Australia sometimes has star player appearances and it's interesting to get to hear and see the way they talk about the game and the way the player is as a person.

Billy Slater came across really well and I think he's a bit of a tool on the pitch.

Great stuff. They should use more players in the commentary box. Wells has been superb since his introduction IMO.

Gary Neville has been brilliant on super sunday, it really works, ex players know the game better than anyone, especially those who has just retired.

Get Cunningham, Sculthorpe, Farrell etc. in the studio.

Fantastic for Sam though. RL needs to give him a reason to stay in the sport, I wouldn't blame him for becoming a millionaire in a sport where he will be loved by the nation.

I assume his Sky wages count towards Wigan's salary cap?

no, thought not.

I don't want to listen to some bleating little to55pot, a great player, but a moaning little child when it doesn't go his way.

Is this a joke?

There's already one Wigan fan on the commentary team.

EDIT: www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/feb/01/sam-tomkins-wigan-tv-pundit

Urgh... what a terrible idea.

Live rimming on a friday night, wonder if its on normal SKY or only in 3D

I think using professional players is a great move. Eddie and Stevo are still commentating as if its the 90's. Wells is a good analyser, and Carney isnt too bad either.

But getting players like Tomkins, Sinfield, and then maybe some characters like O'Meley, Briers etc just open up the coverage to newer viewers with an insight into the technicalities of the game

What a bad idea... Why not Cunningham? At least he's old enough and sounds respectable. If anyone could do it, I think even someone like Sinfield or Briers. Sam Whinging Tomkins only sets up Stevo and Hemming rimming session during the game. Eurgh. I think Wells does a good job.

is that the same Sam Tomkins that in our world famous Challenge cup final stuck his two fingers up in front of millions across the world?!

and the same one that clearly has used 'deception' many a time to win a penalty?!

such a role model for all our youngsters! not.

and now we have to listen to him and clarkey's Wigan drivel week in week out!

if this is the only way we can keep our top players in this sport!? RL in general is in a darker place than i 1st thought!

at least our governing body can organise a fruitful sponsorship deal for our 'top league' worth loads'er cash????!!!!!


ermmmmmmmmm

Awwwwwwww

I've missed such snide closed mindedness in relation to our Sam. Long may it continue! For what it's worth he's only starting out with SuperLeague Supermen...

The poster above yourself picked out Briers as an option. Why didn't you rip into Briers for doing the 'deception' and 'sticking his fingers up'.... NO you picked out Tomkins. He gets under your skin.

Classic Tomkins.

actually... if you read the thread title... you may get a clue as to why he was talking about Tomkins and not briers.

just an idea like.

has lee briers been signed up by SKY?! sorry i must have missed something.

Sam Tomkins doesnt get under my skin at all, hes a great player. however isnt yet a 'great' or 'superman' hes had 2/3 good seasons.

i just find it irresponsible for SKY and the RFL to think he is the best person to talk on tv about our great sport. after what hes done and is likely to carry on doing all year if not stopped.

Erm because this conversation is about Tomkins working for SKY.

Maybe if you are a one eyed Wigan fan.

I just don't get the anti-Tomkins thing.

He is a very good, exciting player. He plays for Wigan. Lots of people are interested in him.
Get over it.

Sky don't want him because he is an angel, or because he speaks well on telly (though that would be a bonus). They want him because everybody knows him and everybody seems to have an opinion on him.

We just love chopping our tall poppies don't we.

So it is bad for Sam Tomkins to stick the V's up. But ok for a moderator to call a standard user a b3ll end? .

Crikey

I don't understand this. I know Wigan were looking for cap loopholes so they could pay him via other sources, but I don't see why Sky are complicit in this?

Has Tomkins got any talent for this is the main question? I can't say i remember hearing him speak. If he's articulate and knows what he's talking about then it might not be so bad, but to do it just so he can be paid more seems a tad odd as it adds no value for Sky or the viewing public.

I think its more of an ambition and publicity thing. Sam is the current and future star of RL (apparently). In american football you get the half time show anchored by Dan Marino and its packed full of former NFL stars. Australia's footie show has Benji Marshall on the panel.
I think they're trying to get more chance to show off RL's best and brightest, and at the minute Sam Tomkins is the best and brightest.

Erm where have I called anyone that?

best - maybe

brightest - very much doubt that.

'2 short planks' springs to mind.

It's a winner.

Viewers will be able to get modern match analysis from SL's best player.

Sam is comfortable in front of a camera, and doesn't sound like an oaf.



Well done Sky.