The difference is sam loves wigan and wants to play for us

Ive not criticised anyone!

My point is, saints are correct in not bowing down to huge demands for a young kid that is not proved his worth.

IMO I want him to stay as he's going to be a great player but I'm glad that we won't lie down and give him what he wants. He's not worth £200,000 a year at this moment in time.

On the other hand I dont blame him for taking the money as most of us would.

At the end of the day saints won't be held ransom and I totally back that.

There was irony in my post to get a reaction.
Maybe you should have posted the above on the Stains board that when Farrell, Robinson and Ashton then, but most were too busy frothing at the mouth to agree.

I'm disappointed when ANY player decides to jump ship to RU regardless of who they play for. Mainly because I just can't fathom why RU is so popular in this country. I hate how RU is referred to Rugby, and I hate how RL is barely even recognised by the majority of the country when it is the more entertaining code by far.

I still don't think it justifies the argument towards increasing the salary cap though. If a player gets paid £100k a year, then with a salary cap increase their wages go up to £200k a year, that doesn't make them a better player. Just a better paid player and a poorer club.

Saddened's thoughts will be the same as usual: "What's happening in and around Wigan RL this week? There must be something I can lambast them, mock them, belittle them etc for? Oh ..." and as a brief afterthought, "wonder if there's owt happening down Saints way?"

I don't doubt Sam loves Wigan because it's clear he does but £200,000 a season is very good money and I doubt he'd turn that down.

Farrell and Robinson was great rugby league players and I would have loved them to stay in league even if I was Wigan.

Well seeing he has just comitted five more years to Wigan would say otherwise. You're telling me if he hadn't signed a long contract he wouldn't attract such money?

Unfortunately 90% of your fellow supporters didn't share your views. If only we could get the link to the Andy Farrell to Rugby Union thread on the Saints board back in 2004.

I hated Farrell with a passion when he was playing for Wigan but loved him for great Britain.

Thought he was awesome the year he played prop for Wigan, he was a one man team.

I didnt want him to leave league, we need all the best players we can get to beat them convicts!

If Sam wanted £200,000 a year from Union he could of got it easily. But instead he signed a 5 year contract with us.

I'm not buying that, rugby union not been after Sam. Kyle is highly sought after as they think he's going to be next Jason Robinson.

Hes not fit to lace Robinsons boots, Sam is a better player and has already achieved more.

Why? Cause he's small and black?

What you talking about Willis?

Let's be honest, if Ashton can be a sensation in RU, then Eastmond certainly can.

The lack of tackling will suit them both.

Ashton doesn't have to make any, and Eastmond won't get injured in any.

Perfect arrangement. They could even do a Billy Beaumont and still be playing for England when they're 48.

How long did sam have left on his contract before he signed his new 5yr deal?

Get fooked, even them muppets at union arent that stupid. If Sam put himself up for union there would be clubs queing up to sign him.

Nice choice of words, very grown up.

Would Sam turn down £200,000 a year to stay at Wigan?

Would Wigan match £200,000 a year?

He signed a five year deal before last season.
He then signed a new five year deal before this season.

Prior to signing his initial five year deal I couldn't tell you how long he had left, Bilko might (he updates player contracts on Cherryandwhite). Probably less than one year I'd expect.

So in effect we tied Sam up as soon as it came clear what a talent he was and before the vultures from RU / NRL came in and swiped off with the best Wigan youngster since Shaun Edwards.

Well if they want him, it will cost them £2 million+ to release him.

Any player or person who did not give such an offer serious consideration is a fool imo.

It also helps that the place we are talking about is Bath - one of the more favourable places i have visited in this country.

Its a touch nicer than St.Helens

Yes he probably would imo.

No because we wouldnt have to.

Them words nice and simple enough for you?

Why would he sign a new 5yr deal when he had 4yrs remaining?

It can't have been for more money, he loves the club so much he'd turn down more money.

One idiot is saying he'd turn down 200k a season to stay at Wigan yet he signs a new improved 5yr deal with 4yrs remaining.

He only extended it by a season iirc.

I can understand Saints not getting into a bidding war over Eastmond tbh but it's still a real shame. He isn't worth the gamble by Saints to match his Union offer because he's not proved he can get himself on the field on a regular enough basis to warrent that salary yet.

As for Sam Tomkins if the boot was on the other foot i'm sure we'd go as high as we possibly could for a deal if we had to fight Union off. We'd be well advised to do so aswell because the lad has proved that unlike Eastmond he's as durable as he is classy and even at 150-200k per season you'd be getting value for your money.