If only we could play Wellens and Tomkins in the same team. Because you're right Damo, he's been magnificent recently.

It does seem that Tomkins recently has lost some of his flair. Is it that he is carrying an injury? I really don't know. I just hope everyone gets behind whoever gets picked and gets behind the country.

I don't want to sound like a hypocrite but Sam can do all the referee conning he wants to in the 4 nations.

Its a tough one this. Wellens is still sound defensively 9 times out of 10 but lacks the broken field elusiveness that Tomkins brings to the team. But, after watching Tomkins being run over by gaskell who is 4 stone wet, makes me wonder what will happen to him against the Aussies.

Wellens last test series suggested he could not handle kicks or dummy runners.
He spent more time with his hands on his hips complaining than tackling.
He is not up to it, never was.

Great idea, why not emulate the Tony Smith coaching masterclass and throw in Gardner and Sykes as well.

Would many full-backs have stopped Gaskell had they been in Tomkins' position? I think not. Tomkins is our best player. Certainly our best English player anyway.

If you really, really, want to play Wellens, then put him in at Centre where we're a bit weak. At least he'd tighten our defence up in that position, and he's in a better place to talk to his team-mates.

Actually forget that. Jesus, I can't believe we'd even consider picking Wellens at his age. We've a World Cup to work towards.

Slater, Lockyer, Minicheddars - they were only picked for their ability to stop someone 6' odd & 14st at full pelt while themselves flat footed.

Wellens wouldn't catch Slater on a motor bike- He isnt Int standard period

I love Wello but NOOOOOOOO

Wellens is the form full-back, but i wouldn'y choosr him, just not quick enough. Defensively, and defending kicks, he is the best,and would it wouldn't hurt Tomkins to learn from Wellens. Defensively, Tomkins is still very suspect and needs improving on. Attacking he is outstanding though and gives us that X-factor. However if he is carrying an injury, i really don't see the point in playing him. At domestic level, you can get away with a niggling injury, international, you have no place to hide, he certainly won't get the time to pass to his wing when returning a kick.

No I have to say.

Wello is a great player for Saints but that is it,not quick enough and not good enough IMO,leave Sam at FB.

Please expand on this with specific examples, for me Sam has been great defensively this season, producing a master class in the Challenge Cup Semi v Saints.

As a Wigan fan i'd be happy to let Paul Wellens replace Sam Tomkins in this years waste of space end of year tournament. Hes been playing with an injury since we played Warrington away in the league. Let him have some R&R in the off season to be fresh and ready to tear Super League apart again next season



Maybe Brett Hodgson or Brent Webb could play on residency terms?

The Aussies will have done their homework on the brat and know full well he can only step from his left foot. They will set him up good style for a well deserved going over.

I wouldn't say he's great. Far from it. Attacking wise yes he is superb, but he has been a little suspect under the highball when put under pressure. As the last line i feel he needs to improve, especially on the international stage where he will be under more pressure and come up against better attacking players.

What he said.... Much as i care about RL, why should Sam play and be boo'd by half-wits. Play Wellens, anybody who thinks he should play can eat their words when he has been made to look silly by the Aussies.

Too slow, had his day.

Play wellens! Rest Tomkins! Keep the lad fresh for super league

I think damo has clearly shown his lack of rugby league knowledge in this thread alone, even saints fans are saying wellens shouldn't play! After all no disrespect to Paul, there is a reason he has been over looked by england in the 08 series for Briscoe! too slow for international rl.

In fact ask saddened RE paul wellens- saddened has been slaughtering wellens all season, I think alot of saints fans have said they would rather see wellens at 13.

Quote ="Bull Mania"I wouldn't say he's great. Far from it. Attacking wise yes he is superb, but he has been a little suspect under the highball when put under pressure. As the last line i feel he needs to improve, especially on the international stage where he will be under more pressure and come up against better attacking players.'" So no examples, then. The stats tell a story, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011. Interestingly, Sam has made more tackles than Paul and missed far less.

Quote ="Bull Mania"I wouldn't say he's great. Far from it. Attacking wise yes he is superb, but he has been a little suspect under the highball when put under pressure. As the last line i feel he needs to improve, especially on the international stage where he will be under more pressure and come up against better attacking players.'" So no examples, then. The stats tell a story, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011. Interestingly, Sam has made more tackles than Paul and missed far less.

Tomkins or Grix for full back. Wellens isn't good enough.

Decent seasn but Grix is not in the same league as Sam Tomkins. Not even close

That goes without saying.

shows our lack of options behind tomkins really! I think the next best is ben jones bishop and hes been on the wing all season!

Quote ="Finfin"So no examples, then. The stats tell a story, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011. Interestingly, Sam has made more tackles than Paul and missed far less.'" I have only seen Tomkins in a few games this year but he did not take the ball on the full a couple of times when it was right next to him, let it bounce and chanced a lottery. He passed the ball to no one a couple of times close to his line as the runners came in. Australia and NZ will have him scoped out like last time and his input will be minimal. His style of game can be shut down pretty easily with good kick chasers and strong defensive lines.

Quote ="Finfin"So no examples, then. The stats tell a story, www.superleague.co.uk/statistics ... eason=2011. Interestingly, Sam has made more tackles than Paul and missed far less.'" I have only seen Tomkins in a few games this year but he did not take the ball on the full a couple of times when it was right next to him, let it bounce and chanced a lottery. He passed the ball to no one a couple of times close to his line as the runners came in. Australia and NZ will have him scoped out like last time and his input will be minimal. His style of game can be shut down pretty easily with good kick chasers and strong defensive lines.