Then in simple terms, their clubs should pay them more than the Union clubs are offering; problem solved.

spot on.

RU survived for 100 years with RL poaching various players, and I expect that RL will survive in the same situation. RU eventually adapted their game to make it more attractive for players to stay, and RL has to do the same through the growth of the international game, getting more sponsors involved, more young players coming through in places like London etc....

It is a massive blow. They've taken a 'name'. Tomkins is a big name and who's to say his brothers won't follow. Who's to say that the kid who plays at St Pats, who idolises Tomkins, won't decide to focus on Union. Tomkins kids could end up in Union just like Farrells. This is [ipotentially[/i further reaching than the initial signing of Joel Tomkins.

Agreed. I'd also point out that although Joel has been playing at centre this year, he is a very good second rower, and was superb in our championship winning season, he IS a big loss.

He's a big loss to Wigan, but that's not really the issue under discussion.

He's not. Wigan could replace him internally and not lose anything. His rat brother might be more difficult to replace when he goes though.

You have to question the motives of the Wigan club though. Why were they both allowed to visit Saracens and attend training there when Wigan were still involved in the SL playoffs? It makes no sense at all.

He was in the dream team the year before last, when playing in HIS position. He is young and English. I'd suggest that he's a loss to the England team and Super League as well as Wigan.

Never mind - since the England team is now a free-for-all cultural melting pot, the pool of players from which to pick his replacement is massive.

As for SL - players change codes and players retire whilst at the same time, young players graduate from their respective academies to take their places. Life goes on, or at least it does for everyone outside of Wigan.

I say again - if the Wigan club thought he was such a massive loss, why didn't they just offer him more money than Saracens?

That would be a big part of it, unfortunately the current structure of the cap means we simply aren’t in the market once and NRL or RU club comes sniffing.

But there are other things we need to do, like build the international game and increase exposure for our players, something we barely do at all.

If the rumours are true and he's being pay £400k a season, it's pretty obviously why not.

Why? If he's that important pay it. If not, let him go. Wigan have just signed a 37 year old overseas player from a foreign club. Don't come crying about the cap preventing you keeping academy products after that.

The rumour is that he will be on £400,000... Can you see why Wigan don't offer him more?

My worry is that we keep saying "it's just one player, they'll be replaced" and it becomes the norm.

Will this 400k be payed by the club and the RFU?

That was in the build up to the CC Final at Wembley. The team travelled down to London on the Thursday and trained at Saracens on the Friday. Teams can train where they like as far as I'm aware so being "allowed" to do so doesn't come into it