we'll see.

It's all about expectations I suppose as well as value for money. There is huge expectation on Tomkins due to his reputation, past achievements for Wigan and because of the salary he's paid whereas there was little expectation on Escare as he'd fell out of favour at Catalans and I presume is (or was) on a low wage here.

In plain black and white it looks like they're bringing about the same to the side for vastly differing sums of money but I think we were probably seeing Tomkins at his worst against Escare possibly somewhere near his best.

Long term I think there's room for both and the side will be in good shape with them both in it.

Yep we definitely will

Good post. I've always loved Sam. But I think his future is in the halves as he no longer has the pace of his youth. He is the best passer of the ball in the club including Lockers and he kicks better than both George and Tommy. Just a question mark over his defence I suppose. Though I think he will be fine.

In the line his defence is fine (or it was when he last played as a halfback). Like most fullbacks he gets caught out defensively as the last line but he's up to the task of dealing with the increased workload if he is to go back to stand off/scrum half IMO.

Escare's kicking from hand is I think superior and I'm sure his goal kicking is better.
What statistics don't show is that ST looks like a startled rabbit under the high ball and Escare has brought a sense of control and composure to the defence that ST I don't think is capable of. Any guy who lets a high ball bounce on a regular basis as ST did isn't really a FB.

Id be pretty amazed if ST didn't go into the halves rather than back to FB. Personally I want ST to get his hands on the ball as often as he can to give him maximum opportunity to cause havoc in the attack and he can do this from 6.
As most have said it will be a nice problem for SW to juggle

Seriously?

With the displays from these two this year, i wonder how this has affected Charnleys options if he is unhappy in RU... BTW, i have no idea how well or badly he is doing there, don't care much either.

I've always thought Burgess was more suited to centre in the long term anyway, and now he's physically matured, and Davies and Marshall have emerged, I think now is the perfect time to move him to centre. His pace, size, hands and ability to run excellent lines are more suited to centre anyway. Plus, his kick returns have always been the weakest part of his game, so moving him out of the back 3 would nullify that.
I'd even be tempted to play him in the centres for England against Samoa.

Yes I am.
Do you seriously rate ST defensively at FB?
Fantastic going forward but pretty poor under the high ball to the point that he brings too much uncertainty to the team.
Just an opinion but it will take a lot to shift it

I think you have a pre formed opinion on the matter. As the stats just outlined, he missed less tackles than escare has, and made less errors (which would include knock ons).

As good as Escaré has been for us, anyone who thinks he's a better fullback than ST really should watch something else. I will confidently predict much egg on many faces when ST returns at full fitness.