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?

Is that a joke? Just it sounds like "my mates uncles cat told my mates uncle that my other mate knows that etc etc etc"

Does this mean you will now refer to Sam Tomkins as Tomkins?

Does this mean shut up?





sorry I lowered myself to your level there.

no mate...its from the club skippers mouth to a class full of high school kids who asked him if Joel was leaving.

Lockers thought it better not to lie to the kids...so he confirmed it.

not my uncles cats mate....my daughter.

Nah as Logan will be promoted to the first team

It will make life easier in that respect.

Not much to take out of this deal for us is there