What about as a goal kicking winger?

Actually I think that my arguement is that Union does hammer players skills out. Lee Smith was a seriously good League player as was Eastmond. But, they go from playing a game that involves a great deal of running and passing to a game that requires them to do very little except tackle, catch high balls and kick. Watching Joel play now is quite pitiful and the money may be a compensation but you have to spend time actually training and playing a vastly inferior game. I very much doubt that he would be much use to Wigan now if he wanted out. From what I read he doesn't have much of a short term future in the England RU team as injured players will replace him come the 6 Nations. I don't blame Joel for going. I just think he will regret it.

He was a future Wigan captain for certain. Whilst he earns more now - the top players in League aren't that badly paid. OK he's played for England in front of 80,000 speccies for 3 weeks, but he could have played in the Challenge Cup/Grand Final/World Cup semis and even Final had he stayed (preaching to the converted I know!!! - but I needed to get it off my chest!)

I think Sam has taken the sensible decision and gone to the NRL where he has a chance of success. He would get killed in Union - no space, huge players dominating and so few chances to actually score. He averages about 1 try per game for us - what does a good Union winger/full back avaerage? The one game he did play was also a pitiful site. He got the grand total of one pass in the opposition half (practically on the line, her couldn't miss) and spent the game looking for something to do. I think that Barbarians game helped make up his mind IMO. I also think that people who think Sam would be brilliant in Union should look back to that game, because I'm certain that he wouldn't.

Sign him up and loan him out for a year

I totally agree with all of this, especially the stuff about Joel. I still regard that as the most tragic waste of an athlete I've ever seen. And though he and his missus may be enjoying the high life in Harpenden (!!?!!), I wonder if, at the end of it, he'll really think he's had a fulfilling career (bearing in mind he would also have earned a lot of dough at Wigan and in the NRL). Also, as you say, he no longer looks anything like the force he was - and would really struggle to make an impact if he came back to RL.

I really wonder about Lee Smith though - he barely played Union, and yet seemed to come back a completely broken man.

I'd still go for Eastmond as long as he's not asking too much, to see if we can make anything of him. If not, we sell him on.

Was Sonny Bill playing Yawnion for 5 years? He WAS the Roosters best player last year. You never forget how to ride a bike or swim but confidence can be affected, I don't see Eastmond having a total confidence crisis playing league but there are too many doubts. Compare him to the London players we have signed he's a rugby behemoth

Not sure of the relevance of SBW to this discussion. He did win the World Cup with the All Blacks and was considered a huge success in both codes. He is something of an 'outlier'. Eastmond is very much part of the norm.