Wasnt much between them on friday. Tompkins wasnt as good as people suggest, he was just noticed more because Wigans one and only plan consisted of giving him the ball, which is the reason wigan lacked anything in attack, because Tompkins doesnt know how to unlock a drilled defence.

Eastmond had to share playmaking duties with a number of other players so wasnt probably noticed as much, but showed his vision by nearly putting a couple of players through gaps, and nearly making breaks himself. Desperate defending from Wigan stopped these breaks.

Eastmond is rated higher by coaches and his peers and I also agree with this sentiment, that he will turn out the overall better player. Probably by some margin too.

Sam has 30 missed tackles and Eastmond has 8?

30 missed tackles suggests not. Although he is one hell of a player.

Tomkins has also made more than 3 times as many tackles so missed is bound to go out the more attempted tackles are made.

I'm surprised no-one's mentioned Stefan Ratchford. He's impressed me more than Myler at Salford. Definitely another candidate for a future England half-back.

Wigan lad too.

My impression of ratchford (maybe harsh) is he is a jack of all (backs positions) and master of none, another lad who will have a good SL career but never make the big time.