Here's his quote then -

''And, if you try to keep a player who doesn't really want to be there, he's not going to perform at the highest level. It comes down to compensation and a quarter of a million pounds helps.''

Its more the partnership thing that people are bothered about and the fact that Sam is staying. Everyone has known Joel was going for weeks and he isnt in anyway the same talent as Eastmond or Sam.

Wigan fan through and through, but I don't blame Joel one bit. He's had several good years at Wigan and won every domestic competition. He's probably got less than a decade to earn his money so good luck to him.

That's not to say I'm not gutted - I'd love to have seen him develop as a centre or even better, back at 2nd Row doing what he does best.

But I don't really understand it. Where will he fit in at RU? Centre? No 8? I just don't see him offering anything particularly special to RU. And why Joel in particular? The whole thing smacks of RU wanting a RL 'name' - they've gone for Joel and Sam, Joel has gone for the cash, Sam has renegotiated a massive pay rise at Wigan.

he'll be a in RU

Quote ="Rommel"Where does it say Wigan get £250k?'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 620047.stm Quote Wigan centre Joel Tomkins has completed his switch from league to union by joining Premiership champions Saracens. Warriors will be due compensation for the 24-year-old, who is contracted until 2015, =#800000with the move costing Saracens a reported £250,000.'"

Quote ="Rommel"Where does it say Wigan get £250k?'" news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 620047.stm Quote Wigan centre Joel Tomkins has completed his switch from league to union by joining Premiership champions Saracens. Warriors will be due compensation for the 24-year-old, who is contracted until 2015, =#800000with the move costing Saracens a reported £250,000.'"

As a second row he's a big loss to our side

As a centre he's not much of a loss.

The big news today is Sam staying for at least 3 seasons. The loss of Joel created a major concern that Sam would follow after the Four Nations or possibly in 12 months but they've now been put to bed.

Time for Wigan to kick on now. We have some amazing young talent coming through like Matty Russell, Ryan King, Sam Powell, Jack Hughes and Greg Burke and they'll all hopefully feature in 2012.

No, he's signed an extension to his contract. That doesn't mean he won't be going to union in the next three years. I hope you're right and he does stay but contracts mean nothing. How long did Joel have left on his?

I'm not sure how much more binding this agreement to stay for three years is than a contract anyway. What's the difference?

It's a re-negotiated contract that makes Sam the highest paid player in rugby league. I doubt it's as much as Union could offer him though

Would Joel be in anyone's England team? He wouldn't get near mine so can't say I see him as a big loss.

I appreciate that but it's surely not just the money - the profile International RU players have is far higher.

I want him to stay in our game as I said. I'm just wondering about this extra agreement. Surely a contract on its own says "I will play for you for x years".

Sam's contract is higher then a lot of international rugby union players contracts and not just Ex Wigan players.

Lenagans words today.

Now as a game we need to make Sam want to stay in 3 years time.

Yes!

After witnessing first hand what the RFU are doing to undermine the work the RFL are doing in the North East, I wouldn't trust anyone associated with Union.

They haven't changed at all and would wipe us out tomorrow if they could, no amount of spin or statements of respect about us will change my mind.

Judge people by what they do and not what they say!

No good will come of this for Wigan or Rugby League.

the partnership makes no sense on Wigan's end!

What is there to gain from being partners with saracens!!

Couldn't agree with you more mate,it looks like the RFU's hidden agenda is coming to fruition.

Hopefully the situation with Sam in a few years coincides almost with the new NRL TV deal,if this is the case he could go down under which is the best scenario IMO.

Perhaps the 'partnership' bollox is a face-saving exercise on behalf of Wigan, that Saracens have agreed to as part of the deal?

Couldn't they have instead took the 'Mr Unpopular' of Rugby League, his odious brother Sam?

It's amazing how quickly this bloke has become the most hated player of all time.

Like the "partnership" Leeds struck up with Canterbury as part of the deal to release Greg Eastwood?

? Tell us more.

Yes.

At second row not centre.

Nowhere near mine.

Like more people who call themselves fans going to watch him represent his country.

Quote ="jonny the leyther"Nowhere near mine.'" www.internationalrugbyleague.net/apps/forums/ Scroll down to England Forum!

Quote ="jonny the leyther"Nowhere near mine.'" www.internationalrugbyleague.net/apps/forums/ Scroll down to England Forum!