Back on track.

Sam is a very intelligent player. He reads the game well, note his defensive positioning when the kick was knocked back in the corner. Also watch what his did when Carmont scored. He purposely drifted towards the left hand touchline to give Carmont a pass option and make the Quins defenders tackle decision more difficult.

Anyone who has watched Sam play at academy and reserve level will not be surprised at his performance yesterday.

However, as usual from me a word of caution.
Let's bring him on slowly, preferably from the bench as was done yesterday.

That way he could be a Wigan great for a long long time.

He has certainly got what it takes. Backing up the runner was very edwards'esque. This is something that has been sadly lacking from Noble's coaching. It takes a lad with natural instinct to do the right stuff. Lets just hope it doesn't get coached out of him.

As for creating too much expectation - this lad can handle it. He is a potential future Wigan great without doubt in my mind but having said that I won't be expecting too much too soon. He needs to be nurtured but not wrapped up in cotton wool either. I have been watching the game long enough to know a special talent when I see one. Ainscough is another.

After a depresssing start to the season it takes two young Wigan lads to light up the scene and bring some much needed hope (and potentially save Noble's bacon). The fans will give them plenty of support and understanding for sure. I hope there is more where they came from! I spoke with some Saints fans this morning and even they remarked at what a good future these lads have.

I've been bloody waiting for him to get his debut then they give it him on the first game of the season I miss! Very glad he went well, how did he score his try? Might try to get hold of the game

Sam didn't score. Look rlhererl on Tuesday, highlights'll be on.

Sam Tomkins was fantastic last night and a real boost to the side when he came on. I think he answered those who questioned his size by muscling up in defence whilst also being fearless in taking on the opposition.

Now he has his 1st team debut, lets hope Noble keeps him on the bench and brings him off the bench like he did at Quins and slowly introduce him into the starting line up.

technichues spot on...lads a good un

Ahhh sorry I'm mixing him up with Ainscough, glad they both had blinders. Who would you pick at 6, 7, 9 and bench next week? Surely McIllorum deserves to come back into the squad and Tomkins deserves to stay there, but that means dropping a big name or playing someone out of position. I'd drop Riddell based on past performances but then I heard he had a decent game as well so maybe drop Smith.

They must be good

Dont worry Bill Athur did it aswell, Shaun Tomkins

Tomkins' defence was superb. Don't think he missed a single tackle.

Sam Tomkins was absolutly sensational, we have a real star but lets not expect too much, there will be games in the next few years when he will be out of his deapth and he will not know what to do with the ball, but overall he will be class.

What i was impressed with was the way he directed his runners, we actually saw him making his runners cut angles off him and support each other it was like we were a diffenent team, he took the line on then looked to pass, work a drop off which challenged the opposition in defence.

I really hope that the flair is not coached out of him.

that break was just a snippet of the class he has! weve got some talent in that side with ocarroll (sensational), ainscough- breathtaking, tomkins bros just to name a few, nobby knows that these are the lads who we want to be building our squad around.

Hock, Hansen, Lockers, Feka, Paaat, Leuluai as well

Sam Tomkins defence really impressed me last night. It was outstanding. In addition he impressed me far more with the ball than he has in the reserves where I think he is much too greedy at times, perhaps because the standard is so poor and it is so easy to make breaks.