Full back is one position where - with one or two noticeable short lived exceptions - we've always had some continuity with someone of quality holding down the spot for several seasons. It will be interesting to see who gets the gig long term after Bowen. As to the thread, Sam by a mile. Although if I had to pick a full back in a big game I would deliberate long and hard between Tomkins and Lydon, who could have been the best of all if he hadn't played a lot of his career in the 3/4s, and if he had given a damn in the lesser games.

I reckon Tierney will take over the #1 shirt in 2016 with Hampshire taking the #6 spot in 2015. Plenty rugby between now and then though

Rads for me. Nothing against Sam and he has been great for us but think the better teams have sussed out how to stop him more this season and will be interested to see how he goes on in the NRL assuming he gets a game as third choice fullback over there. I only have to think of the challenge cup game against Saints at Murrayfield to think nobody else could have done what Rads did that day. We will never know of course but Rads was the total professional for me and wasn't found whining at the ref like Sam & Briers did every two minutes.
Think Pat Richards deserves an honorary mention as well as he wasn't bad at full back either!

For full back position, I'd go for Kris Radlinski. Sam isn't big enough for 1 on 1 tackles against charging opposition forwards.

For half back, I'd go for Sam, who I still think is a stand off half.

Stevie Hampson wasn't bad either at FB. Must have been his sheer strength, when he was a drayman throwing barrels of ale about for Robinsons brewery.

I have never been convinced that Tomkins is a SO, how can you have a half back is so unpredictable with ball in hand and his running style, as a centre he would be a nightmare to have next to you as you would have no idea what he is going to do.
Remember as well you are talking about a player who is still only at the beginning of his rugby career compared to Radlinski and Hampsons whole career. The comparison can only be made when Tomkins has finished his career and we can look back at what he has done, I am gutted we won’t get to see him play SL for the next few years but at the same time I am interested to see what the NRL can do to his game!

I'd swap Hampson and Sam around but I'd also throw Henry Paul in the mix too.

I do think that the fact that Radders is a one club man, a real gent and came back to help out clouds people's views of him as an RL player. He was a very good player but he didn't have the flair of Tomkins, Paul or even Connolly.

With regards to Hampson, I once asked John Monie who was the better fullback in Hampson and Lydon. He said "If Hampo is fit, Hampo plays. Simple as that".

Did you ask him what their Body Fat % was?
Or
How many Weetabix they had for breakfast?

I think it comes down to natural talent. Simple as. The full back position is very different from when Rads played there. The position is hardly comparable.

Based on natural talent Sam every time.

Not sure the issue being made of Sams defence, I get the high ball issue, but he rarely misses a tackle and brought down a few kiwi's in full flight in his line last week.

Jackie Cunliffe, Don Platt

Like I said about the age thing, I'm a 70's child, I can only compare to the players I've seen

I was thinking about this the other day. Radlinski for me, could catch any bomb, defence was awesome and was good in attack.

Also Rads played against better players.

High ball - Hampo
Defence - Rads
Attack - Sam

Overall sheer genius - Sam

Naturally people have their own favorites but each has their own individual qualities that marks them a cut above the rest. Unfortunately Sam has only played 153 times for Wigan, lots of them at half back, against Hampo's 304 and Rads' 323, so it's difficult to assess a whole career against a comparative cameo.

I loved watching Hampo, but Sam is a freak in terms of attacking skills and excitement. He also works damn hard and his defence in the World Cup was as good as anyone's. he too pretty much every high ball and Mae sone great tackles.

Rads was a great clubman butnjwhere near the level of Sam or Hampo .