Sam to union

[tallis]

Heard from a very good source that Sam has been approached and has had talks with two union clubs. Sarracens being one, but cant remember who the other one was. Will money talk? Hopefully not! Don't know if this has been an official approach through the club or a back door job.

[butt monkey]

Would have to be back door (ie via the media) as he is contracted to the club and would/could no doubt be considered "tapping".

Nothing wrong with clubs expressing interest or even asking about availability, however unless the player has specifically asked for a move then this is about as likely as any and all speculation the goes on in all sports circles (pubs mainly) and as he IS contracted - would cost a considerable amount to buy a release from anyways

[jaws1]

RU cannot be pulled up for any back door tapping if it was Warrington then would be done for back door tapping,RU has the money and if they wanted him to play RU then this would not be a problem.As Sam is under contract for a sizable transfer fee would have to be paid out.Sam last week in "Supermen" stated he wanted the international stage whether it be now or when his contracts up IMO can see him going to Union. Who could blame him with all the booing he gets from supposedly fans playing for England the booing was a disgrace he says hes ok with but deep down I dont think so in Union he would be an hero playing for England.

[shaunedwardsfanclub]

I say he sould go to Union or NRL because apart from Wigan the rest of Super League doesnt deserve a player like Tomkins to watch.

I couldn't disagree more, we would struggle without Sam.

[Wandering Warrior]

SEFC read the post correctly again!
Yes Wigan would struggle possibly but the rest of SL would see it as a job well done!!

[BigJeffLima]

Cant see this being true, if i remember correctly he said on super league supermen that he doesnt want to leave wigan

[butt monkey]

RU cannot be pulled up for any back door tapping if it was Warrington then would be done for back door tapping,RU has the money and if they wanted him to play RU then this would not be a problem.

Rugby Union in it's self is virtually bankrupt, the millions of pounds the English RU used to bank role the buys of Farrell, Robinson, Hape, Vainikolo etc etc has gone and the Clubs themselves rely more on individual, very wealthy owners to buy/attract players to their clubs (apart from Ashton who was out of contract, the only other players to move have been at the end of their RL careers and also out of contract). Before anyone says "Eastmond" etc

Bank-rolled by owner Bruce Craig, Bath will have money to spend on their squad next season with higher-earning captain Luke Watson leaving, former England international Danny Grewcock retiring and fly-half Butch James contemplating a return to South Africa.

plus he was also out of contract at the end of this season, so is a totally different scenario to the one under "discussion"

If it was a French Union club I would be worried - but that is another matter.

Whilst their are no hard or fast rules between the codes as far as pinching out of contract players is concerned, I highly doubt any player can flippantly ignore their contract and be allowed to go to another sport without compensation from either the player/and or new club for losses. The touting of players to move via agents can be considered illegal as it would be deemed in breach of contract

I take this with a pinch of salt, just look at the posters join date and number of posts and consider him a "troll"

[eccywarrior]

if he did go it wont be till hes about 28. if he went before id prefer him go nrl rather than ra ra

[ancientnloyal]

Is he in a players union?

[jimmybob2006]

Sam and Joel have gone with a new agent who,s clients are all rugby union players ,Chris Ashton is on there books. Seems funny they have gone to a rugby union agent. We have to see what happens next season or so? James Grant is the agent he recently took over clarkey brothers agency ,according to rlfns.