It's actually £390k in current market rates.

For comparison, the "cashed up" French RU leagues tenth highest earner, Matt Giteau, the seasoned RU international, is on the equivalent of NZ $780,000 per season.

This is a great deal for Sam and out strips anything he could have got elsewhere - unless the french really are that mad that they would have offered him the same as Giteau, having never played Union before!!

Why are so many writing this above ?

It's not as if Wigan have no one else around to mentor is it ?

They only have past players/full backs on the coaching staff like Steve Hampson and Kris Radlinski among many others already at the club.

Matt Bowen is a better player than either of those two ever were.