I'd agree that Wigan wouldn't gain much publicity for this. Sam has everything to win or lose. A good performance and he's lauded in all the national newspapers, a bad game, and he's thought not capable of hacking it in RU.

Perhaps Sam craves the media attention that he's not getting playing RL. He may love playing RL, but if he wishes to increase his popularity and standing, then playing a game for the BB is surefire fire way to do it.

I just find it sad, that to get our best players the financial deals they want they have to threaten switching to RU, and the same goes with their national profile. If they wish to have one, then playing RL isn't likely to get them it. Sam's an exceptional talent. Probably the most gifted player in the UK, yet outside RL circles he'll be hardly known. I'm guessing he wants to change that, whilst still playing for Wigan.

Totally agree with you there is no reason what so ever to risk our best player in a "friendly" match of a rival code. I'd have though the Aussies would love to pound a English rugby league player at any opportunity total madness from Sam and Wigan if this is allowed.

i dont understand why he came out with all the comments about not being interested in playing union if hes going to be playing in this game?? i cant see what wigan will gain from this by letting him play

He may crave more media attention but he is not bigger then the club or the sport!

He has to accept that as a Wigan Rugby League player the media attention he craves is likely not to happen. Don't commit yourself to Wigan and Rugby League but go and play in union a few weeks later.

It is a kick in the face!

I was one of the people that didn't think Lenagan could do wrong up until this. One week saying that Sam cant speak to the unionites the next week he could be turning out at twickers........... If Lenagan lets this happen, in my opinion, he needs his head well and truely testing. I hope the RFL step in to stop it but there is more chance of platting fog than that happening

Is it the price Wigan have to pay for having Sam, probably the best players in the UK, pull on a Wigan shirt every week. He could have walked out on his Wigan contract to go and play RU, and earn the money and fame that wants, but he didn't.

It's not ideal, in fact is far from it. But if it's part of his new deal, that he could play in games such as this one to increase his media profile, meant Wigan could keep him, then so be it. I'd rather he plays in this game as a Wigan player than not be a Wigan player at all, which could have easily happened.

If that was the case i would have let him go as we will lose him eventually. We are Rugby League they are Rugby Union you play one or the other but cant have it both ways. We look desperate and pathetic if we agreed to anything ike

Benji Marshall and Lockyer where asked aswell aint to sure that they are playing though. Sam is though.

Perhaps Lenegan already knows that barring any drastic changes in form Sam is likely to switch to union after 3 years.

Thanks to the 5 year deal that means even though Sam can talk to clubs after 3 years he's still contracted to Wigan and therefore Wigan will be owed compensation. A player like Sam could provide Wigan with a hefty sum of money, so maybe he's willing to let Sam play a game of union in the hope that he impresses and it bumps up his value a little more.

Doesnt the NRL have a strict rule about not allowing players to play in a competitive rival sport. Pretty sure the NRL slammed the door on Benji a few years ago when he was offered to $1m play Union in Japan.

Cant see them allowing him to play for the Barbarians.

Don't think they are playing, the reasons why I don't no. Just know as they got asked.

Well they should let him go now were not here to produce players for RU. Losing him now will be no different to losing him in 3 years

I'll have a pint of what you've had.
In that case we should have let Thomas Leuluai leave two years ago.

The price we pay for Sam to play for Wigan is £300,000 a year and that's paid pay us the fans, as a result we should have full commitment from him and IL for Wigan and this is a complete lack of that.

Word from Saracens is that they are delighted with the deal to link the club to Wigan. Sam Tomkins will get to train with his brother while the Union side groom him for his eventual switch. By the time Sam does cross codes he will have played a lot of Union.

Cant compare that Leulai wants to play league with no intentions of going to a rival code and sam would be going to RU and during his 3 year contract wants to play ru games. So therefore i would of got rid but in saying all that i would love for sam to stay in RL for at least 4 more years til just after the ruwc2015 not to much to ask is it.

Our Chairman stated last week in his interview that sam has no interest in playing rugby union and was a little tempted by the NRL.

Time to prove that i think.

The communication between us and IL has been very weak in recent months, most big sports team deny incorrect rumours very quickly and give club statement on a regular basis concerning "hear say" or comments that have been made in the news papers. Wigan only ever announce things well beyond the point of every body already knowing the announcement.

Didnt sonny bill have boxing matches before he turned his back on the bulldogs or was that after his move ?

Yes he did it was during the preseason of his last year in rugby league, his current contract with the Chiefs has a limited number of professional boxing bouts written in. If Sam does have a similar clause in his contract to play Union I will be pretty shocked.

dont think the NRL see boxing as a direct competitor mate. Even if the RFL Cannot stop sam playing they should release a press statement objecting to it.

Sam Tomkins had his chance to prove his worth last night and bottled it. He should spend the pre-season concentrating on how to catch a high ball under pressure as he will have a lot more of those to deal with next season.

I think the performance showed he is not NRL standard, so at least that can be put to bed now.

your judging him on one game. thats silly!

Tbh I hope he does this is something I've suggested in the past. Union only want our players for internationals and our players go mostly for that if we allow them to use our players then we break the cycle and keep our players happy plus they get paid to do that too so get a good proportion of the money they're after without our game losing the players.

Cmon keep it real please.

They will not just want players for International they need to get them used to playing union before putting them into an international side.