Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
We can now wait for anti RU & Joel is a "turncoat" type posts,that Andy Farrell had to put up with.
I'm pleased for him. You do the best for you & your family
Anyone can support a team when it is winning, that takes no courage.
But to stand behind a team, to defend a team when it is down and really needs you,
that takes a lot of courage. #18thMan
Conflict for the family, Sam in Huddersfield or Joel in Twickenham. Could this be unique, brothers playing for England on the same day at the same time one in Rl and one in RU? In spite of any conflict they must feel extremely proud, well done Mr&Mrs Tomkins :eusa2:
It's not saying much for the game of Rugby Union when with all the clubs and players they have in England, they have to have three in their International team from our game and others on the fringe.
I agree WW.Union is very much amateurish in skill levels which puts Joel's and Ashton's achievements in to perspective. Neither would pull on a England League shirt in the present set up.Anyway Union gets more coverage in the media than our game so why oh why do we need to discuss them in this medium.Take it to the Union team's web site. Hacked off :exc:
Joel was by far the most talented Tomkins despite the age old misnomer that people kept spreading that Logan was better than both of them. Very few players have the capability to ply test match standard 2nd row / centre. Joel was also very gifted with ball in hand, albeit that role was surpressed as his career progressed. As a very young teenager during the Millward debacle he was capable of offloading sublime passes and he went to Australia under Mike Greg and played stand off in a team that IIRC defeated Aus Academy incl Inglis.
Ashton for all his defensive weakness as an excellent attacker / finisher / support player.
We have lost some damn fine talent to Union; Joel, Chris, Eastmond, George Ford.
Union is not my cup of tea but that standard is far better than it was when Bill Whizz, HP, Harris, Connolly were guesting/playing; particularly fitness & strength.
devon jim 1 wrote:I agree WW.Union is very much amateurish in skill levels which puts Joel's and Ashton's achievements in to perspective. Neither would pull on a England League shirt in the present set up.Anyway Union gets more coverage in the media than our game so why oh why do we need to discuss them in this medium.Take it to the Union team's web site. Hacked off :exc:
You obviously don't watch RU or you wouldn't make sweeping statements like that. Today's union is every bit as skillful passionate committed as RL. I know I watch and love both sports not just on TV either never missed a WW home game and went to a few away including Challenge Cup final and Play off final. I also watch and follow Sale Sharks home and away, plus International matches at Twickenham, Murrayfield Old Trafford so reckon I my opinion to carry some credibility. And just what is wrong with this thread, singing the praises and achievements of successful Wigan rugby players. They are a credit to the town and their sport.