Brothers in Union?
As I logged on to BBC Sport and read the headline 'Tomkins joins Saracens from Wigan' I was shocked at what was potentially one of the biggest headlines of this rugby year. The story that I thought was going to ensue would have given English rugby one big positive at a time when it is swamped with negatives. However upon advancing the headline was expanded to explain that it was Joel Tomkins and not his brother Sam that had made the move south.
First things first I believe Joel Tomkins has all the potential to be a fine player in rugby union for both Sarries and perhaps even England.Saracens are certainly excited by Joel Tomkins' talent as they have parted with £250,000 (a weeks wages for Carlos Tevez) in order for Wigan to agree to the immediate release of one of their key assets. Tomkins is a fine athlete who possesses the strength, pace and ball skills that are synonymous with the top league players.
It was apparent at the world cup that England are unsure as to what they want or who they want in the number twelve jersey. Thus I do not see it as far fetched to suggest that should Tomkins take to his new code quick sharp, his name may be mentioned as a contender for Mr Johnson/A.N. Other's squad come six nations time. Having said this, previous evidence would warn against chucking the convert in to international rugby in their debut season, think of another ex Wigan man, Henry Paul who was thrown in to the deep end in Paris back in 2002 and was not capped again until 2004. Even that man SBW took sometime to learn his union trade at Toulon before announcing himself on the global stage. Perhaps I am a little ahead of myself, Tomkins must first overcome a tough battle to establish a spot in a competitive Sarries midfield with the likes of Brad Barritt a player looking to demonstrate his own England credentials, unlikely to surrender his jersey for the new guy from up north. Both Sarries and Tomkins will hope his development can be accelerated under the wing of Andy Farrell, the former Wigan man now Saracens coach who can draw upon his own cross border experience to help out a fellow Wigan boy.
Regardless of the talents possessed by Tomkins senior it is perhaps a case of one that got away for Saracens and English rugby. The damage that Joel's younger brother Sam Tomkins has been doing to Super League defences in the last couple of seasons will not have gone unnoticed by both fans and the hierarchy in the union code. He has the 'can't teach that' ability to beat a player and create an opportunity where it didn't even exist for 99% of players. Quite simply he is a world class footballer with the type of skill set that would seem easily transferable across the code barrier. The hype around what Sam Tomkins might do in rugby union reminds me somewhat of the way that the Welsh fan spoke of Iestyn Harris prior to his cross code move ten years ago. On that occasion Union got its man although for one reason or another Harris never quite lived up to the mantle of 'saviour' which the welsh rugby public attributed to him.
A decade on it is a case of 'better luck next time' for England rugby fans as Tomkins (Sam) committed his future to rugby league by signing a big dollar contract with his home town club for the next five years. Perhaps more notable than the contract itself is a proviso that Tomkins will not to listen to any offers from either Rugby Union or the NRL for a period of three years. Having said this, it is worth bearing in mind that brother Joel was but nine months into a new long term deal when he made the switch earlier this week. We live in an age where players know only to well that it is a short career, and as such there is always that offer which is too good to ignore regardless of contractual agreements. Another influencing factor on any future decision made by Sam could well be the success of his older brother. If Joel is a real hit in union and ends up wearing the red rose it may well be difficult for Sam to resist the temptation to join up with him in what is a more high profile sport at the international level.
For the time being anyway Sam Tomkins remains a Wigan rugby league player and congratulations to them for pulling out the stops to retain a key asset to their club and the league game in the UK, particularly with a home World Cup around the corner. However should Tomkins continue to carve up super league it is unlikely to be long before the money men from the south return more determined than ever to get their man.
First things first I believe Joel Tomkins has all the potential to be a fine player in rugby union for both Sarries and perhaps even England.Saracens are certainly excited by Joel Tomkins' talent as they have parted with £250,000 (a weeks wages for Carlos Tevez) in order for Wigan to agree to the immediate release of one of their key assets. Tomkins is a fine athlete who possesses the strength, pace and ball skills that are synonymous with the top league players.
It was apparent at the world cup that England are unsure as to what they want or who they want in the number twelve jersey. Thus I do not see it as far fetched to suggest that should Tomkins take to his new code quick sharp, his name may be mentioned as a contender for Mr Johnson/A.N. Other's squad come six nations time. Having said this, previous evidence would warn against chucking the convert in to international rugby in their debut season, think of another ex Wigan man, Henry Paul who was thrown in to the deep end in Paris back in 2002 and was not capped again until 2004. Even that man SBW took sometime to learn his union trade at Toulon before announcing himself on the global stage. Perhaps I am a little ahead of myself, Tomkins must first overcome a tough battle to establish a spot in a competitive Sarries midfield with the likes of Brad Barritt a player looking to demonstrate his own England credentials, unlikely to surrender his jersey for the new guy from up north. Both Sarries and Tomkins will hope his development can be accelerated under the wing of Andy Farrell, the former Wigan man now Saracens coach who can draw upon his own cross border experience to help out a fellow Wigan boy.
Regardless of the talents possessed by Tomkins senior it is perhaps a case of one that got away for Saracens and English rugby. The damage that Joel's younger brother Sam Tomkins has been doing to Super League defences in the last couple of seasons will not have gone unnoticed by both fans and the hierarchy in the union code. He has the 'can't teach that' ability to beat a player and create an opportunity where it didn't even exist for 99% of players. Quite simply he is a world class footballer with the type of skill set that would seem easily transferable across the code barrier. The hype around what Sam Tomkins might do in rugby union reminds me somewhat of the way that the Welsh fan spoke of Iestyn Harris prior to his cross code move ten years ago. On that occasion Union got its man although for one reason or another Harris never quite lived up to the mantle of 'saviour' which the welsh rugby public attributed to him.
A decade on it is a case of 'better luck next time' for England rugby fans as Tomkins (Sam) committed his future to rugby league by signing a big dollar contract with his home town club for the next five years. Perhaps more notable than the contract itself is a proviso that Tomkins will not to listen to any offers from either Rugby Union or the NRL for a period of three years. Having said this, it is worth bearing in mind that brother Joel was but nine months into a new long term deal when he made the switch earlier this week. We live in an age where players know only to well that it is a short career, and as such there is always that offer which is too good to ignore regardless of contractual agreements. Another influencing factor on any future decision made by Sam could well be the success of his older brother. If Joel is a real hit in union and ends up wearing the red rose it may well be difficult for Sam to resist the temptation to join up with him in what is a more high profile sport at the international level.
For the time being anyway Sam Tomkins remains a Wigan rugby league player and congratulations to them for pulling out the stops to retain a key asset to their club and the league game in the UK, particularly with a home World Cup around the corner. However should Tomkins continue to carve up super league it is unlikely to be long before the money men from the south return more determined than ever to get their man.
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