Just read a Retweet by Sale Sharks News which was orginally posted by Neil Fissler whose apparently a Rugby Union Journalist. Reads as follows:

"I am hearing that @Saracens are going to announce tomorrow they have signed Joel Tomkins from Wigan Warriors #rugby @premrugby"

So its looking more and more like the difficulties have been overcome and Joels heading to Union.

To be honest it will be a relief once it's announced. At least we'll know then and can move on

Fissler used to report on London Broncos for League Express IIRC.

He writes for Daily Express.

if £250k is the fee it's way low if you ask me considering how long Joel still had left to run on his contract

reading some of the replies on his Twitter, he's a bit confused. Said that Sam wont go for a while yet as he's ages to run on his contract. Bizarre, if i remember correctly, Joel & Sam's contracts end at the same time...

I'd have to agree. I was thinking a bare minimum of £350k. That's still less than £100k a season for the years he has remaining on his Wigan contract.

Glad that it's coming to a conclusion though. But can't hide my disappointment at seeing him leave.

He'll be back faster than Lee Smith!

IMO we should not have him back, i would just make a stand they cant go and when it goes wrong expect to walk back through the door. We make it to easy

Bit short-sighted that mate. Would you feel the same if Sam went and decided to come back?

Hope he fails and comes back with his tail between his legs.

Edit: Dont blame him for taking the money though.

I get the impression that he despises RL now but I do remember him writing for LEx. Curious.

Yes i would i might be a bit over the top in some peoples eyes but if sam went i wouldnt want to no him no more he would be a judas same as anyone else who switch codes. But thats just my opinon i cant stand Rugby Union same as most Rugby union people cant stand Rugby league

Can't blame them for following the money though. If Joel and Sam are succesful in Union they could earn enough money to set them up for life. They're never going to do that if they stay in Super League. It's a short career and a long retirement

You can't buy fame though and I can't see either being a legendary success in RU. Sam has the world at his feet in RL.

Good luck to them, i think the RFL should put up good bit of cash to keep sam they suppose to have £8.7m a year profit use some of that to keep him. If every decent player is just going to follow the cash and go RU then we might as well wrap up now as were never going to be able to match them because i wouldnt keep producing these players for them barstewards. We are going to have to find some kind loyalty in players otherwise were doomed. Sky and Sponsors wont keep paying for RL if we cant keep our stars

It wont be such a big loss if JT defects - its not like he was even one of the star turns last year - an average 2nd row that had to fill in at centre due to Gleeson's sacking. £250K for him should pay for a top-class centre for the next 3 years.

What aload of rubbish! I can't believe how people are turning this round to say he's basically no loss. He filled in well at centre last year out of necessity. Before that he was one of the best young second rowers in the game. Name me a SR in SL or the NRL who could score that try at Wembley!?

Losing Joel, especially in the same season we have lost Hoffman is a big big loss to Wigan. To lose Sam to RU would be devastating, though after Saturday I think there will be queue of NRL clubs lining him up for the 2013 SC increase.

Please say this is a trolling effort? Even if it wasn't, save your skin and say it was. What a ridiculous post.

Joel is a top quality back row forward. He is one of the best raw athletes at the club. The try at Wembley says it all. He will be sorely missed.

Anyone that goes to RU is a loss i think, i dont like to lose anyone. I reckon a key thing in signing Joel will be to get closer to sam as sam will be down at union games watching Joel with some of sams interviews of late i think hes already made his mind up his future is in union. They both think the grass is greener. It would make me spew to even go anywere near twickenham never mind mix with them lot and play with them regardless of the money

Saying Joel is an average second row is riidiculous. He is an excellent 2nd row and will be a big loss to Wigan in that position. Stop gap centre, yes but he is excellent in the pack as he proved in 2010.

As to £250k paying for a top class centre for 3 years you are wrong about that as well. You don't get a top class centre for £83k a year.

Losing Joel Tomkins means we lose one of the best athletes at the club. He was our temporary stop gap (mini-project) at centre to replace Martin Gleeson. He was adept at centre, but no world beater. He was however a top quality back row forward. Strong, aggressive, mean fend, pace and pure power. Him moving back to the pack would have been a big boost with Hoffman leaving. He was also part of the leadership group last year. JT was an important part of squad - he will be missed.

The next issue of his departure is the potential influence it will have on our 'star' man Sam Tomkins. His departure would be a bitter, bitter, bitter blow for Rugby League. Rugby League can NOT lose Sam Tomkins. England can NOT lose Sam Tomkins. We'll NOT see another Sam Tomkins for another decade. If he goes - I will be thoroughly depressed and will be completely disillusioned with our game. He's a kid you pay your money to see. How can we improve the quality of our national side, our club competition and our games appeal if our star player leaves for another sport?

What's done is done though. Joel has moved on, Wigan will move on. £250K is a realistic amount and is something I'm content with. We'll have to promote from within to replace Joel and see what we uncover. We'll have transfer money and cap space to be on the look out for any talent that becomes available on the market.

Nothing personal against Joel, but I hope he fails miserably. I hope it is a resounding failure and he has an awful time. I hope he comes back moaning, groaning, thoroughly depressed with how crap Rugby Union is and subsequently he comes back to Wigan and puts Sam (and any other player in the camp) off from moving to Union. It would also make Union think twice about offering big transfer fees/gargantuan wages to RL players.

Great post

Where the bloody hell are we going to find his replacement. Rumours are suggesting its Darrell Goulding.

I like daz as a player but he isnt as good as JT.

They'res not many I can recall making a big impression is RU after a League career, few go on to represent their (or our) country. Fewer still make a mark, and thinking back I can only think of Billy Whizz making any form of status. Jason was not a league player or a union player, he was something a little bit different, is Joel different? NO, is Sam different,? YES. So Joel go for the money and good luck, but I dont expect you to make a big dent in the Union hall of fame, the same as you may have done in League. Will League be poorer off? Yes, in the short term, but we can find another Joel. What we cant find is another Sam.