even with no salary cap how could we compete with that. It would be financial suicide!

Whilst I admire your optimism (I really do), the fact remains..the more and more talented young players sculking off to Union from the same few clubs at the top will dilute the squads with more inferior homegrown young players. Yes of course we are loyal to the team, but if I wanted to watch 17 average but hardworking Wiganers I could, every week (St Pats / St Judes...etc), I wouldn't pay £20 to do so though.

I'm sure SKY (who without, we 'as a sport' would be dead in the water) would be thrilled to see such a drop in standards from the top clubs...not!

Not sure this is right Dave.

I agree that Spurs have enforced the contract, but that is in the context of a move in the same sport. Spurs have the player's registration and the football rules mean no other club in world football can select him for their team while he is registered for Spurs. The RFU will not recognise Tomkins' registration with Wigan.

If he did go to say Saracens and breached his contract with Wigan then he (and probably Saracens) would be liable in damages, but those damages would equate only to Wigan's losses. Which would be small beer to Sarries.

The reality therefore is that if Sam wants away IL will have to do a deal.

The difference is Football clubs can afford to have players who fall out of favour or moan about contracts on garden duty...They can quite easily just get someone else in and not have to worry about salary restraints.

If Wigan now turned around and said he's going nowhere and Joel eventually ended up never getting a game they'd be cutting of their own nose to spite their face. Wouldn't really do the club much good long term would it. Yeah they'd be proving a point, but at what cost. I've no doubt Wigan will be compensated financially...

Heard today it's still 50/50 if he'll go. But don't know if that has changed. Hope he stays.

I wonder if Wigan saw this coming when they handed players five year deals. At least you will get a good transfer fee, unlike Saints who lost Eastmond for free.

The cost of NOT enforcing the contract is the concern. He would only not get a game if he went into a sulk and while that is a small possibility (I don't think he would be as daft as that) it would be a price worth paying for the principle

As to the point someone else made about not being able to enforce contracts across sports I think that if Joel walked out of Wigan and tried to play at Sarries while under contract here it would be quite easy for Wigan to prevent that legally.

It would be a sad day for Rugby League is Joel was to leave same as Eastmond being converted, the RFL should bring in a Designated Player Rule were certain number of players are exempt from the salary cap other wise our sport will become a breeding ground for the RFU. What ever happened to loyalty Kris Radlinski played for the love of his home town and turned down salaries twice as big as his one at Wigan.

Nice to see we know what Wane will be asked in his first press conference as Head Coach.

Didn't Wigan in the end give him a much better deal though to keep him here? and if I remember correctly I'm sure the RFL/Great Britain decided to pay towards his wage aswell. It wasn't near what union where offering but still a considerable rise on what he was on at that time.

I would roll around in my own and then eat it for 400k per year. Playing kick and romp would be a walk in the park for that money. We cant blame Joel if he goes, we need to improve as a sport somehow if we want to keep our stars/future stars.

If he does go though I hope he hates it and does crap as it might put Sam off

That's all well and good, but if you know you have 10 years left to play, for instance, and were offered the chance to set you up financially for yourself and your future family, it'd be a tough decision.

If he goes, I don't blame him. It's a short career and he needs to make the call he thinks is right, so good luck to him.

My issue is with the sport that can't or won't compete with the RFFU.

Memories, trophies, success are priceless a Rugby players legacy is never how much money they made in their career your legacy is the only thing you take to your grave.

Money isn't a legacy, but it's how you pay the bills and feed your family.