Exposure. Plus remember we pay him roughly what most union clubs would so if he could play the union internationals and get paid for those too we eliminate the reasons he would leave us to play union full time. I'm all for it providing we get compensated if
He gets injured and he doesn't have to play loads of matches during our season.

Im not convinced sam will be here for 3 years. His contract states that he or his agent cannot speak to Union or NRL clubs. Wigan authorised Sam to play for the Barbarians not Sam or his agent. Theres nothing to say that the RFU wont contact Wigan and agree a buy out for Sam from his current contract. A huge transfer fee bankrolled by the RFU and a wage that will be consistent to his current Wigan deal could be the key. If Wigan are contacted and Wigan speak to Union then he is likely to go. He is not in breach of his contract. I think this contract is a smoke screen for maybe the next 12 months to passify the fans for Joel leaving. Maybe im cynical but if Sam is here in 3 years ill bare my ass in the co-op window

Disaster for the sport if Sam leaves. I don't believe any player is bigger than this club or bigger than the sport, but what this transfer would represent could spoil the bright future of RL we all hope for.

Why is every other thread about Rugby Union these days. WHO CARES!!!!!!!

If I had to pick my Liverpool team to play Villa on Sunday, Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo and Xavi would be it, doesn't mean they will sign for us though!!!!

Woodwards's squad choices I believe are a projection of the future, George Ford hardly ever plays for Leicester Tigers as he is only 18 I think in total he has played 2-3 premiership games. To think he would leave out Manu Tuilagi for the up and coming six nations shows the selection is miss quoted or he's been smoking herbal leafs.

So even Sir Clive thinks that Tomkins best position is fullback. What do the "Sam for stand off" brigade think of that? (Or is it "fly-half")

That fact he's picked Ben Foden and Owen Farrell out of their most effective positions shows he has lost it.

I think that it is further evidence that Sir Clive is a massive self-publicist and his selection screams 'look at me I'm controversial'.

Sam is a non-starter, Foden's best position is full back (I'm pretty sure he's never played centre) and with just 5 Premiership matches under his belt, Ford is a long way off ready for starting the 6 Nations.

The crazy thing is Ford is behind Toby Flood by some margin at the Tigers why on earth would he get a call up to the England squad, I have respect for Clive but he can't be serious with this selection for the up and coming six nations.

I can't believe he went for Higham over Roby at hooker. Bag of frogs that Woodward lad.

People say this when ever anyone comes out with something like this. But the same people pan the management for having no vision. Sir Clive realises that it's not about the 6 nations. It's about 2015. They are all young lads who will be around for 2015, the best thing for English rugby union is to get a group of lads who will play together for 4 years. If ford and Farrell are going to play in 2015, they need to be integrated into the team as soon as, and if that means losing a few games over the next year or so then so be it.

The selection of Sam in that team just goes to show how highly he is rated by the other code.