I was in St Helens this afternoon and as I was leaving the Hardshaw Shopping Arcade in walked Sam Tomkins accompanied by a cameraman. I swear that there are people who frequent this forum that, had they witnessed the same, would conclude that he had signed for Saints and would be on here with the news in a flash.

Sam Tomkins has signed for St Helens for 2016?! I don't believe it!

He's under contract until the end of next season and he won't be going anywhere until then. He's already been offered a long term deal at Wigan quite a while ago and as yet he hasn't signed it, he has also been offered a 3yr contract for the Roosters but he hasn't signed that either.

He should do another season then go to the NRL.

Why? He could sign for a 6th or 7th place club over here and be the worlds best winger or even Golden Boot winner!

What would your take be on the likes of Hall, Briscoe, Watkins etc. be then seeing as they have stayed here? Plus the others like Sinfield, jjb,burrows, maguire etc. who didn't show any ambition?
Does that show them up as 2nd rate, flat track bullies with no ambition etc.?

I'd stay till I was about 25 if I were Burgess. Build up a career and a reputation and then go and test myself in the NRL when I was coming in to my pomp and could command top dollar.

We'll see how it goes.

He won't leave for a few years - I'm confident of that.

Other than Chris Ashton under the previous regime, I can't think of another breakout star who left only a year or so after his debut. All of the NRL rumours come and go but isn't it only Tomkins and Mossop who've gone? And that was after a good few years apiece. Even if someone like Josh Charnley leaves, he's given us five years.

Wigan aren't daft enough these days not to enter into negotiations early but more importantly the players aren't that daft to leave an environment that is perfect for their development so early.

Shame on you sir, a Wigan supporter frequenting St Helens is just not on, especially in the week before a Wigan match v Saints.



I am now going to Google Hardshaw Shopping Arcade to see if they do discounts for Wigan fans, if they do I may be there myself tomorrow.

Well, actually I live in St Helens or to be more precise a part of that borough that was annexed in the 1970s. Although I was born in sight of where I now live I come from good Wigan stock and as a matter of fact my grandfather is listed on the Wigan heritage players roll of honour. Now I know that Wigan has far superior shopping facilities and being in possession of a free bus pass it costs me nothing to go there, but for convenience it often pays me to hold my nose and turn west rather than north.

St.Helens must be damn awful in that case.

St Helens is terrible in the centre. Full of Charity, Pound and second hand shops with little else. It desperately needs some investment.

a tad like the rugby team then.

Yeah, no money spent on our club in recent times. I wish our chairman would stop selling all our best players for big cash and running a big transfer fee surplus that appears to disappear into paying for our rented stadium . . . . ; )

Ahhhh, it's derby week again! : )

Eh up they've signed a player for a fee(nominal) finally

In fairness you've only just paid off the cladding.

In comparison we've only paid fees for Matty Smith, Blake Green, Tony Clubb, Scott Taylor, John Bateman, Iain Thornley and Joel Tomkins over the past few seasons.

In fairness we do sell some players as well but then we do actually have players other teams want

i am sure there are others amongst us that see how happy he is at wigan, having not yet completed a full season with us in the first team and also earning a well deserved call up to the national squad. that's an awesome season and is down to not only his performances on the field, but also to the club and most noticeably SW et al.

i can see nothing other than him representing wigan for at least the current term of his contract with us. he's taken his chance when given and owes a lot to the club and i don't think he is the type of person to jump ship so soon in his career to money-grab.

first try on Saturday wouldn't go amiss either please joe too, considering i have a tenner on you!

Which probably cumulatively added up to about a third of what came in for the Tomkins bros?

Actually, that is sheer guesswork, would be interesting to know what the net cash inflow was after that little lot - anyone know?

On topic - really hope JB stays in RL and in SL, he is sheer class and the best wing prospect in the country by a country mile.

So just because Sam hasn't been an instant hit the entire NRL will not explore the possibility of signing another back from Wigan? They consider each player on an individual basis.

Hopefully Joe will realise how hopeless a coach McNamara is after seeing him first hand being in the England squad. Assistant or not I would hope he wouldn't go anywhere near a club where McNamara's involved.

Sam was Man of Steel and is the best player of his generation. So yes, they will think twice. No one has gone for Ryan Hall who many claim as the best in the world.

I think that NRL teams don't need British backs.

Just read the supplement in the Observer. Burgess was asked about the rumours and basically said he doesn't bother with any contract talks and just leaves it all to his agent. No denial then but I presume all options are open at the moment.

Who is Burgess agent.

Andy Clarke

Let's hope he doesn't share one with Russell Crowe

I'd be surprised if Joe left just yet after watching the Warriors down under programme. He had an interview in which he mentioned his mother mithering over him, he's still really young and I imagine he'll spend atleast another year or two at Wigan atleast.

joe has still a lot to learn and I hope he learns it at WIGAN.The lads got talent and when it comes along you have to nurture it.At the end of the day it boils down to LOYALTYorCASH!!!