Whilst I accept that since St Kris retired, Wellens has been (Has Been) one of the top Full Backs in Super League.

However, after watching Sam Tompkins yesterday, I am sure that we have the most exciting player in World Rugby at the moment (yes, more than Slater, Inglis, Marshall etc). Even though he has replaced Lockers as the most hated Wigan player, I stood amongst the Pussy Cat fans yesterday, who booed him constantly, but by the end, they admitted he was something unique and special and even "paint watching" Kear was forced to admit Sam was 'sensational'.

When your full back and you nil a team, you must have some defensive qualities.

Not being funny, but can you imagine Slater/Inglis/Marshall against that cr*ppy Wakey team? Leon Pryce put on an absolute masterclass against a better Wakey team last year, doesn't make him better than Benji Marshall all of a sudden.

Tomkins looked toothless for England at FB last season, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Long way to go before he's spoken about in the same breath as those guys - I desperately hope he gets there in an England shirt though.

Jonny Lomax and Gary Wheeler tore Wakefield apart last week, they're not or never will be in the same league as Benji Marshall. Sam also needs to get rid of his fear of being tackled before the four nations or we'll have a repeat of last time.

Fear of being tackled? Can you explain that one?

That fear of being tackled that you speak of is ludicrous. You're not meant to be tackled you wouldnt score many tries if you didnt avoid being tackled.

He isnt soft as I assume you're implying because I dont think many would just get up (and have a go at) a player like Ablett like he did.

Forget the tomkins v wellens debate, the person who stated that sam tomkins is a more exciting talent than benji marshall needs to go and have a long lie down.

Depends on the perspective, as a Wigan fan S Tomkins is more of an exciting prospect than Benji.

Wellens was and remains a true professional and deserves to be an all time Saints legend for his dedication, work ethic and excellent rugby brain, but even at his peak Wellens was limited by one crucual factor - a serious lack of pace - that stopped him from being world class. When Wigan fans point this out they aren't having a go at Wellens (despite the Slug jibes Wellens is respected by most Wigan fans), they're having a go at Saints fans and the RL media who got ridiculously overexcited about him. Wellens may have won lots of individual honours but that says more about the weakness of British RL in the era he has played in. You just have to think about the ludicrous comparison Badwanger made (see my sig) between Jonathan Davies and Wellens to understand the difference between a truly gifted, genuinely world class player and a hard working player who has done a fantastic job within his limitations (and to see how far the game has gone backwards from the mid '90s to the mid noughties).

Fear of being tackled? Are you serious? If there's one thing Sam does get criticism for, it's taking on the line too much when a pass might be the better option.

Tomkins junior will never be as good at fullback as Wellens. In his pomp Wellens was outstanding, whereas t'other one was totally ineffective on the big stage last season against the Kiwis and Australians. And this season, most teams have worked out that peppering him with high balls, and a robust chase that tackles him before he can get running soon knocks him off his game.

Eventually, the penny will drop, and maybe your new manager will play him in his natural position, where he will be an outstanding no 6.

That's assuming he doesn't follow your current coach to sunny Oz.....

I agree, wello does and always lacked pace but in his pomp he over come this with his positional play in supporting players. Every time the was a break he was there in support. His try scoring proves that in them 3yrs.

So what I'm saying, he overcome his lack of pace with his rugby brain and world class positional play.

In 2006, he was the stand out player in what for me, was the greatest ever saints team!

He won the man of steel and harry sunderland award.

Also in 2006 GB beat Aus in their own back yard

So he was a stand out player in what was quite a good time for British RL

get over it, its nothing new, leeds have been chucking a dozen a game since before the days of them having Calderwood, but because we chuck a few flat (and forward) passes it immediately needs to be urgently addressed

IMO the linesment dont have much to do and if they cant even get this right then there aint much point having them. they have clearly been told only to flag for blatant forward passes