Despite playing very little over the past year, the RFL have decided to contribute towards Lomax's salary.
I'm struggling to see what he has done for the RFL to consider him above others in the England squad, particularly given he has only made 4 England appearances.
I'm not against the principle of central contracts BUT there has to be equity. Lomax is not best English full-back in the game, so the new 'face of rugby league' probably won't even play on the international stage.
There also need to be clarity about whether the wage contribution from the RFL count towards the salary cap?
I like Lomax as a player and have a lot of respect for how he has recovered from injury. However, there needs to be a clear criteria for central contracts rather than the murky decision making process we seem to have at the moment.

Obvious. Sweetner to Saints to keep McManus off the RFL's case regarding Barba.

"Despite playing very little over the last year"

Last year? Try last 4 years. Think it's less than 50 Saints games since the start of 2014.

Why would the RFL need to get Saints off their case? How can Saints seriously think that the 12 match ban shouldn't be upheld?

Isnt their argument that the NRL have said that the ban will only start when he returns to the NRL, and the offence doesnt carry a ban in this country (which is crazy but the rules)

Barely a face in the St Helens changing rooms. Peculiar.

an average of 16 games per season over last 9 years....to put in in perspective Prop forward Alex walmsley has been battering his body for almost the same total of games in four and a half seasons. Lomax in the Gary 'wheeler mould.

The NRL said that several months back wrt to him going over to French RU and not having to serve a ban there. They do want him to serve his ban before he plays for Saints though and failure to do so would result in him having to serve it on any potential NRL return.

yeah but thats the question issue isnt it. The NRL have handed down an NRL only ban for an offence that doesnt carry a ban here. Its not really Barba or saints fault the NRL have created uncertainty around it.

has Barba being cleared to enter the UK by the UKBA? A hardened class A drug taker should have no chance of coming into hte country.

Why not? If you state it on your application they'll consider it minor. They don't even arrest you these days if you bring 'personal use' amounts with you each time you travel.

As for the real reason for the thread in the first place, I'm a Saints fan and I've got no idea what the RFL's idea is with this? I am in favour of centralised contracts, but I wouldn't have given him a new deal at Saints, never mind a central contract subsidised by the RFL. It's quite likely he won't play for Saints never mind England if Barba works out well and doesn't run off.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/ru ... -1-8617051 well, as long as you do what the rfl ask you to do like promotional work, it matters little how many games you play! utter farce! tomkins marquee player at wigan and also being topped up by the rfl!!

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/ru ... -1-8617051 well, as long as you do what the rfl ask you to do like promotional work, it matters little how many games you play! utter farce! tomkins marquee player at wigan and also being topped up by the rfl!!

Does this topped up money count on the clubs cap, if not and it's not available to all clubs it's not really fair is it.

Maybe I can get subsidised tickets from the RFL, I will be the face of pension age fans?

No, outside the cap and I think the qualification is a proven England International Player, Lomax when injured will obviously be doing a lot of promotional/marketing work for the RFL, something the RFL are rubbish at.
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Sounds as though Kevin Sinfield has some input into the process this year and Lomax has only been given the ambassador type contract.