I know [url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/3629030/Sam-Tomkins-admits-he-has-not-ruled-out-a-switch-to-rugby-union.htmlthis[/url is from the Sun, so a huge spadeful of salt goes with it, but he is 'quoted' so generally that comes with a bit more credibility that it has actually been said.

Even as a Saints fan, I'd take no pleasure in Tomkins taking the 30 pieces of silver, but having said that I don't begrudge players taking whatever lucrative deals come their way, it's a short career and who would turn down a pay rise generally?

What galls me is when players are under contract (a lengthy one in Tomkins' case) and don't dismiss these types of questions with a 'All I care about is playing for (insert team here)".

The "who knows" response always seems like a thinly veiled flirtation with the other side.

Not a chance, he is Wigan through and through. Probably his agent thinking about future deals in RL. I doubt he would ever leave. I could accept him going to the NRL though.

Did he really say that? After his recent comments regarding chris ashton and rugby union, I cant see that being a true statement...

I don't know if that level of loyalty exists anymore - if RU could double his pay, you still think he'd choose RL?

What player in any sport as not used " who knows" when asked about there future plans ?

Who knows?

As I've said, they've written it as a direct quote so it does carry a bit more credibility than a glib 'Tomkins is thought to be mulling over a future in RU'.

Money talks. They have it, we don't.

Jamie Carragher.

And you have read and listened to all his interviews over his long career have you.

Sounds like he was asked a question about possibly considering a switch to rugby union in the future and he's given an honest answer. I'm sure he would consider it at some point. Plenty of rugby league players would. I don't think it's much of a story, but that's what you get with the Sun.

I'm absolutely sure that's what it is.

But wouldn't you rather RL players, given our position in the media as the supposed inferior code, simply rebuff those questions to give the lazy journos nothing to work with?

It would hardly hinder them moving into RU at a later date, would it?

"We're not signing him, he once told the Sun he was concentrating on his Castleford career..."

Depends if he thinks he could enjoy it.

No, but I do know that, in 2005, when asked about his future on Sky Sports he didn't respond with a "who knows". He firmly pinned his colours to the Liverpool mast.

All I'm saying is, I'd like to see a few more RL players doing the same rather than the "We'll see what happens" line that can and is twisted and impacts negatively on the sport we love.

Same can't be said for Gerrard though


Has anyone seriously tried to sign Carragher?

The day Wigan fans have to listen to Saints fans giving lectures about "players' actions having a negative impact on the sport we love" is the day every pig in Britain will fly.

It's not a lecture, nor is it about 'Wigan players' (Tomkins recent alleged comments prompted the post, but throughout I've referred to RL players - not club specific).

Defensive lot on here...

Very true. He more than flirted with a move.



In 2005 he was at, or near, the top of his form and was a fantastic centre half and would have graced any side. He could have used the Sky interview to leave a door open for a move, yet did the complete opposite.

Do you not think the fact that jamie carragher would never get into a man utd.real madrid or barcelona side had any bearing on him nailing his flag to the liverpool mast ??

Sorry lad but Sam as more of pick in his sport than mr evertonian ever as.

Does he want a spot at the HJ?

hahahahahahahaha i was going to say id love to see rat boy being pounded into the ground by 160 odd kilos of union forwards and seeing him try to milk a penalty by holding on to a stray arm or leg but then thought better of it , ooops i just did

they would never get near him

wouldnt blame him if he took the big money, anyone would, unfortunately you gotta look after urself these days,

and no 1 is irreplaceable :-S

Yeah, but first they've got to catch him. You lot haven't managed it, so what chance them?

He's never going to come out and point blank turn it down and say that he would never move over to Union because from a contract negotiating point with Wigan or other League clubs that leaves him in a much weaker position. He would be daft to not always leave that Union carrott dangling as if he didn't it would mean his future League contracts would probably not be as much.

He's tied to Wigan for 5 years anyway so this is a non story at this minute in time. I've read him previously slate Union and i'd be very suprised to see him ever move over but if he did it won't be for a long time yet.

good post Britney!

hes only doing what Briers has done for how long...............

I take it you don't follow union then.