The game is a laughing stock. Ever heard Soccer fans or general sports fans on how they see a team that has lost 3 games in 2 years and won the League Trophy twice and Grand Final once are forced to stay down whilst another team who struggled to make the play offs is promoted over everybody else or that teams in SL can go in to administration and lie about grounds and nothing happens. The game is looked down upon for such things and laughed at. The media treat us like dirt. Wood and the idiots at the RFL should be looking to build the game up and not allowing Englands alleged best player and known player to go flaunting his talent in a another sport especially one which has a History of now snaring our players. Why might as well wave the white flag and say to Rugby Union- Here come and take our best players its OK we are just a minority Sport.

If you really believe people will pay much attention to the Union Circus on the weekend just because Tomkins is playing and think oh he looks good I will put my kid in a League team then you are living in a dream. The Barbarians game is so important in Union that there are Union League games on and the Welsh are pulling out. The press are not reporting much on it or Tomkins so its not exactly promoting Rugby League. Tomkins is signed for 3 years to play Rugby League. He is the highest earner in the ENglish game yet thats not enough. He should have been told that he is not allowed to play. And as for this BS that the players are tired and near burnout well whats he doing playing? He should be having a rest. The only winners in this is Union and Sams and probably Wigans bank account

I must living the dream as I can't wait to see ST give RU a crack.... wouldn't normally watch the Barbarians.

Kids are playing RL after playing RU along side RL players, it's not dream world it's a fact.

Think you'll find ST has a cracking boot and can apparently use both feet!! It's catching he has a problem with!! He is a decent place and goal kicker just doesn't get chance at Wigan

Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504

Never saw this coming? www.sportinglife.com/rugbyunion/ ... ml&BID=504

Shame he didnt use his boot in 4 nations as Sinfield and Chase were shocking

Been selected on the wing........ I am sure he will have chance to dazzle the Twicker's crowd with the 2 passes he will receive.


rah rah rah

Probably been shifted out to the wing after someone watched the 4 Nations Final

Much ado the other week over Fax fans wishing FCHT good luck, yet the same messageboard users are now discussing the merits of Barbarians RU......

Only interested in Rugby Union when an Ex Leaguer or In Sam's case present Leaguer plays.
Love to see them do well and show the world what great players League produces.
However, was in Roxies in SB watching Wendyball, (after watching KCPark) and only turned to the Union screen as Sam scored.
So, don't know how well he played,
Don't know how much of the ball he got, but, judging by the score line, don't think he will have got much.
By the way, Newcastles penalty was never a penalty.

The game was absolute crap and somes Union up well with poor defence, even worse passing and the FB for the Barbarians a joke. Sam did OK in a foreign game. Took his try well and possibly would have scored more if he didnt have such a useless centre. The standards was shocking and I cant imagine Tomkins was too impressed as the writeups are saying much the same as me.

Aye his outside centre was shocking, would have had a certain try in 1st half if he just executed a simple 1 on 1. No wonder he can't get in the NZ all black squad.

It was garbage, tackling non-existant and Cipriani was totally e.

totally agree, Cipriani was an embarrasment to himself, shockingly bad

I'd say by and large at lot of games boil down to who can 'win' and kick most penalties.