I think there must be behind the scenes arguments regarding Joel's departure! there is definitly a disagreement over the contract that Saracens will have to pay Wigan

contract? do you mean fee?

It has a gone a little quiet. Still wouldn't be shocked to see him still here next season. I hope it is a record fee if we do have to let him go though. He signed a 5 year deal, they will have to give us quite a bit of money for him.

IIRC Sonny Bill Williams was just into a five-year contract before he was lured over to Rugby Yawnion and the fee was something like £300K.

If some RU team want to pay anywhere near that amount then let them go for it. More fool them.

Or maybe it was just rumours after all. Or am I being a little optimistic?

For me, Joel Tomkins pulling out of the England squad was the clear indication that this was more than just a 'rumour'.

You haven't the slightest clue. Stop making random crap up.

Mr Lenagan isn't one for rushing and in this case that's great.

If he's going we must get every last penny out of them.

Unfortunately it isn't random crap. Joel wants to leave, but Wigan won't let him go until they receive what they believe is a fair transfer fee.

Negotiations are still continuing.

I agree, that settled it in my mind that he was going. Nothing I've heard since has suggested otherwise.

If he is determined to go ; then the clubs should get on with it. The last thing needed is for a prolonged departure that could drag to next season. The RU season is in full swing so next year could be an option for Saracens (if it is them interested); but a drop in Tomkins performance for Wigan at the start of 2012 could lead to crticism from the fans and leave him in a position similar to Eastmond.

utter cr@p

we should make saracens pay what he is worth to us (i.e. the value of his contract). If hes determined to go then he can rot in the reserves until his transfer is complete

we would have to pay him up until his departure anyway

let him rot in the 21s

You're very optimistic. I don't imagine negotiations will be increasing the fee. The greater the delay, the less you'll get I'd have thought. Of course Mr Lenegan may choose not to release Joel but I don't see that happening.

Supply and demand, we have the supply and Saracens have the demand.

We hold all the cards and I would wait as long as possible to get the right amount. I reckon around 200,000 would do it. Couldn't give a toss about Joel now, if they don't want to pay then make him rot in the reserves or loan him out to Swinton.

Second rowers are ten a penny and I think HH is a better second rower #foffjoelyourboringmenow

send him back to Widnes, he'd love that lol

Also I would use some of the transfer fee and try to sign Larne Patrick from Hudds or even a cheeky bid for Lomax and maybe have a dabble on Pelisier.

I like Pelisier, he seems a rum un and I like that in a 9.

Yeah, send him to Widnes would be a good idea, we don't want him at Wigan moping about upsetting the apple cart.

The problem is, you can't afford to have a large chunk of your salary cap sitting in the reserves. This year we had Amos in that position (although different as he was suffering an injury it would seem) and another chunk in Fielden/O'Carrol who were out injured, to add to that through choice will do more harm than good imo. In some ways it's not too important what we get for Joel imo, it's not as if we can spend it or Lenegan needs the money. Although of course I want us to get as much as possible for him, and the RL fan inside me says make them pay through the nose if they want to take our players, as a Wigan fan the last thing I want at the club is a player who doesn't want to be here and a portion of our salary cap sitting on the sidelines just because negotiations are ongoing.

Not really in this case.
Wigan don't play until February, Saracens want him now. If this situation was in March / April then I would agree with you, bit Joel still has four years still on his contract at Wigan.

The problem is you treat Joel poorly and the knock on effect could be disasterous in relation to Sam.

I would hate to see us make another very short sighted decision like letting Faz go to Union and the knock on effect was losing Owen.

This is a very tricky situation than needs significant TLC to backfire on us in a major way.

Why?

For wanting to earn more coin?

If a company come to you and said join us and we will pay you 5x more than what you get now you will be handing your notice in straight away wouldn't you?

Rugby and most sports is a short career i have no problem in players wanting to set their lives up by taking a better deal people need to see this and grow the **** up

From what I've heard from, what I admit isn't a great source, but Joel is having second thoughts after talking to his family/ friends.

Don't know if it's true but I hope it is.

this is professional sport where contracts are signed and no notice period is available so your point doesnt stand

if i was to take up an offer from another company and hand my notice i mght be put on garden leave for a few weeks and thats it

Joel signed a 5 year contract and i for one hope thata the club hold out for as much as possible for him wether he likes it or not. hes made his bed and now he needs to lie in it. of course, if hes having second thoughts then that might make a difference

for gods sake, its cash rich RU, make them pay as much as possible

I do hope this is true.

I haven't heard anything official about a departure so won't be slating him until I do. In fact I won't even bother slating him if it is true; who can blame him for being tempted by that much money?

You reckon? My guess is that Saracens must be offering a long term deal. I doubt they're expecting him to regain his match fitness, learn a new code and slot into their first team in time for Saturday's game at Barth (or wherever). But I hope you're right, I wouldn't want to see any contracted player leave for union without fair compensation being paid.