Joel Tomkins to switch codes from Wigan to Saracens

[josie andrews]

Wigan centre Joel Tomkins is expected to complete his switch from league to union by joining Premiership champions Saracens.

Warriors will be due compensation for the 24-year-old, who is contracted until 2015, with the move costing Saracens a reported £250,000.

Tomkins, who can also operate at second row, was omitted from England's Four Nations squad at his own request.

He has played 149 times for his hometown club since his debut in 2005.


Tomkins's cross-code switch was hinted at in September when he and his brother, Wigan team-mate Sam, joined former league player Chris Ashton in signing up for a sports management company associated with rugby union clients.

Full-back Sam, 21, has remained in the England rugby league fold, despite his brother's desire to not be included in the squad this autumn for "personal reasons".

Winger Ashton left Wigan to become a union player, signing for Northampton Saints four years ago, and has since been capped 18 times by England.

Kyle Eastmond was the most recent high-profile rugby league player to swap codes when the England and St Helens scrum-half joined Bath, but the 21-year-old is yet to make his first appearance.

Tomkins is not the first player to cross the code divide between Wigan and Saracens.

Andy Farrell, who is now Saracens first-team coach, left Warriors in 2005 for north London and went on to feature for England in the 2007 World Cup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_u ... 620047.stm

[josie andrews]

This is the news we have been dreading & waiting for

Was only to expected with the change in his management company.

Good Luck Joel & thank you for your time at Wigan

[warrior1989]

Be sad to see him go as he had the potential to become a really good centre but if he is driven by money then bye Joel. Signing a 5 year contract then going after one year means he is driven by greed and I wouldn't want a player to play for this club who is more interested in the money than playing for his club.

[medlocke]

He was good but never as good as some people made out, he was susceptible to many a brain fart when we didn't need it, nowhere near as bad as Hock but still a liability at times, deffo better in the back row than centre, enjoy your money Joel as i suspect you won't get much excitement from that tedious game you are going to, see you in a few years time when you have had enough of Tristram & Hugo

[josie andrews]

If he hadn't signed his contract in February he would have been able to leave for free as his contract was up this year. At least we have some compensation from the deal. But I'm sure he would have been on more than 50k a year which is what the 250k works out for for 5 years. Should have got at least 400k!

Just sad not to see all three brothers playing in C & W in the first team

The club shop is selling t shirts with JLS Tomkins on the front!!

[josie andrews]

The club may make an official statement tomorrow, Tuesday or Thursday!!!

[cpwigan]

His move has nothing to do with the changeover of management club. The seeds of this move happened AFTER he signed his new contract at Wigan and BEFORE the Clarke Agency buyout.

I have also read fans elsewhere blaming Andy Clarke. Andy and Phil earn the majority of their wealth away from RL. Rob Jackson (ex Wigan junior) looked after the agency side for Andy.

A player ageing, his life circumstances changing/evolving, tiring of the goldfish bowl that is Wigan (particularly malicious allegations) was ready to move. The money then offered certainly made it easier BUT before people start throwing silly accusations; remember Joel took a pay cut to stay at Wigan in the past.

The rationale behind this move is complex; more complex than many fans comprehend. Indeed, some fans let the club and other fans down AND helped make this move happen!!!

[josie andrews]

His move has nothing to do with the changeover of management club. The seeds of this move happened AFTER he signed his new contract at Wigan and BEFORE the Clarke Agency buyout.

I have also read fans elsewhere blaming Andy Clarke. Andy and Phil earn the majority of their wealth away from RL. Rob Jackson (ex Wigan junior) looked after the agency side for Andy.

A player ageing, his life circumstances changing/evolving, tiring of the goldfish bowl that is Wigan (particularly malicious allegations) was ready to move. The money then offered certainly made it easier BUT before people start throwing silly accusations; remember Joel took a pay cut to stay at Wigan in the past.

The rationale behind this move is complex; more complex than many fans comprehend. Indeed, some fans let the club and other fans down AND helped make this move happen!!!

What do you mean by that?
What have the fans done to make this happen??

[cpwigan]

Maliciously and falsely contacting Wigan RLFC accusing Joel of breaking club rules (an example; attending a charity function and not drinking a single drop of alcohol but the club were informed he had and conducted an investigation)

[josie andrews]

Maliciously and falsely contacting Wigan RLFC accusing Joel of breaking club rules (an example; attending a charity function and not drinking a single drop of alcohol but the club were informed he had and conducted an investigation)

Well whoever has done & said something like that to this young man wants a bloody good thumping & that's being polite

That's just disgraceful