I did it about 6 months ago, because the job I've taken is more interesting and gets me out of bed in a morning, and there's more to life than money.

I take your point though.

But only when money is taken out of the equation, apparently.
IMO if he moves it will be down to a combination of factors, like everything else. With hindsight, we played our part by showing RU what a decent inside centre he could be thanks to Gleeson but you can't escape from the fact that £70K or thereabouts is not good moiney for a full time professional sportsman.

It depends whether you believe the £300-400k figure, which I don't. I was talking to an international yawnion defence coach a couple of years ago. he said then that the average wage for a yawnion player was £150k. I would expect JT to demand more than the average but can't see it being double. maybe a one-off signing on fee.

The union salary cap is £4.2m and you can pick a player of choice not to count on the SC so in theory your highest earner wouldnt count. £4.2m divided by 30 is 140k so thats the average but same as league it doesnt work like that and the better players will be commanding more so £300k isnt beyond belief.

Especially when the RFU may have their sticky mits involved too. If he is on 80k at Wigan and they offered him 140k i dont think he would of took that after what he said a few months back. Its taken a very good offer to get him to even consider it and then by the sounds accept it imo.

I was having a thought yesterday about his move too but it may be a bit crazy Does anybody think that being in Sam's shadow may of been a factor in him considering a move away? We all know Sam is class and he gets all the attention and accolades and anyone outside of Wigan when they hear Tomkins will instantly think Sam Tomkins?

I may be miles off but could that of had a bearing?

I couldn't name one Saracens player but would guess they have a number of British & overseas internationals. I doubt they would be paying someone who hasn't played the game twice as much basic salary as the average international. Maybe as a signing on fee.

It's not just the clubs. It's the potential for internationals. England RU players get £15k for each international appearance (not counted on club cap) and there are, what, 10 internationals a year? Joel or Sam Tomkins could expect to earn £150k above their club salary, plus sponsorships and other breaks.

Add to that the fact that the RU World Cup is in England next time(2015), and I imagine they're looking at league players learning the game for a year, then being eased into the international set-up for another year, and then being regulars by the time the World Cup comes round, and that if England win an RU world cup on home soil the players are basically instant lottery winners with all the promotional possibilities, and set up for life after Rugby with 5-figure corporate speaking gigs and letters after their names. It doesn't bear thinking about how attractive the package is they can put together compared to being a local hero on a decent wage.

Just been on the Saracens fans website ( god help me), most of them have never heard Joel but think that £ 400,000 is ridiculous, "if he is only on £80,000 offer him 150,000 and he willjump at it". is their attitude.

They have a point tbf it is nearly double his wage and 400k would be ridiculous for an unproven RU player.

If that try had them getting the cheque book out they are desperate for players. It was a great try but come on.

In my opinion it is all down to the change in agent and the prospect of a move will have been on the cards ever since that change. You don't sell a player as the real deal based on one try. It is the agent driving this.

exactly what i predicted as soon as he signed for that agency.

advised joel to go to union
advised sam to stay a bit longer with a view to going to the NRL

that agents not stupid...he knows only Jel will make it in union.

btw..hes going.........from the mouth of Sean O loughlin to some kids on a school visit

Do they know that 300 of the 400k is being payed by the RFU?

As a one-off payment then, rather than an annual wage from Saracens?