Whilst no sane man would denay Robinsons talent, when he swapped, RU were still embracing their full time professionalism.

Whilst rugby league, imo, still produces grater rugby talent in the backs, there are players in union who shouldn't be sniffed at, such as Ben Foden.

As a Saints fan, I struggle to decide how well Eastmond will go. I'm sure he'll rip it up at club level, but I wonder whether he'll be considered too small for the international scene. His ability under a high ball could be an issue and, although he's from what might be considered a tougher code, I don't see him getting up and dusting him self off after some big fat frenchman's ran his studs down him in a ruck.

I don't quite get this. On the one hand you've got Sam who, by the reckoning of many, is the brightest prospect we've had in ages yet you're only excited at the prospect of seeing Lockyer and Marshall. Hell, I'm a Leeds fan and I'd rather see Sam do well for England than seeing the others do well for their respective sides.

Ask yourself this: which is most likely hurt ST? Being booed by Leeds fans at Headingley or a situation where Wigan fans aren't remotely excited by the prospect of seeing him play? Surely, particularly with union sniffing around, you lot should be getting behind the lad?

How soon, days/weeks?

Pryce?

Improved offer for/from who/what?

im guessing Mr No It All will prove once again that he actually Knows F**k All

He has previous?

sam tomkins has next season with wigan then he is off to ru.to be honest it's a short career good luck to the lad

Well the new and improved contract will make him the highest earner at Wigan, maybe in Super League too. Also pressure on the RFL to make adjustments to the SC to stop other players leaving.

I really do hope you "No It All" I would have thought Sam would be pretty high up on highest earners if not top already.

I was told something very interesting today on this subject.

Congratulations.

Well if Joel goes you'll have cap money. What adjustments would you suggest would be possible? Even raising the cap wouldnt be enough I dont think. Maybe some kind of percentage dispensation for 'home grown' players?

Thank you.

Think thats what they are pushing at, or a suggestion on here too is a 'marquee player'

he played most of his career at fullback at RU

I've been putting that argument forward for over five years.

I would be interested to see what effect having a 'marquee player' would have on moral at SL clubs , it may cause resentment. A dispensation for home grown players would encourage clubs to invest in youth rather than quick fixes and maybe give teams the clout to retain more star players and maybe up the quality of a smaller number of overseas players.

Well it's something we agree on then. I don't think it would get many votes over at HKR though

I've also been saying the same thing. The RFL have to look at this before we lose anymore good young players.

Your have previously stated there WILL be a marquee signing, do you really know it all?

Where have I mentioned this? It's one of our Marquee players signing a new deal.

Ahhh sorry miss read thought you wrote major marquee player signing, my faith in you is restored

.

I dont think Wakey would go for that!

Talent makes players famous. It's fame that makes them rich. Union's profile is, and will probably remain, much higher than ours. Consequently it will continue to attract young players regardless of the money we're able to offer. It might make the difference in retaining the odd player but I doubt it will make the hige difference that some envisage.