It's worse when it is English players though. They produce players of that standard all the time down under. Marshall and SKD are probably better players than Paul and Hape. Australia lost players like Hunt and Folau, but YowYeh has come through and they already had world class talent like Hayne and Inglis anyway. We can't produce players over and over again of that standard.

If Sam were to leave, how long would it be before we see another player of that talent come through so young? Look at the time difference between Edwards and Tomkins....

Yes I would like to see Hunt, Folau and SBW still in rugby league... but at the end of the day, they have produced players of this quality over and over. We don't seem to be able to do the same in England.

Press conference soon. Announcement of Joel leaving and a major player signing a new and mega improved offer. Watch this space.

Whilst no sane man would denay Robinsons talent, when he swapped, RU were still embracing their full time professionalism.

Whilst rugby league, imo, still produces grater rugby talent in the backs, there are players in union who shouldn't be sniffed at, such as Ben Foden.

As a Saints fan, I struggle to decide how well Eastmond will go. I'm sure he'll rip it up at club level, but I wonder whether he'll be considered too small for the international scene. His ability under a high ball could be an issue and, although he's from what might be considered a tougher code, I don't see him getting up and dusting him self off after some big fat frenchman's ran his studs down him in a ruck.

I don't quite get this. On the one hand you've got Sam who, by the reckoning of many, is the brightest prospect we've had in ages yet you're only excited at the prospect of seeing Lockyer and Marshall. Hell, I'm a Leeds fan and I'd rather see Sam do well for England than seeing the others do well for their respective sides.

Ask yourself this: which is most likely hurt ST? Being booed by Leeds fans at Headingley or a situation where Wigan fans aren't remotely excited by the prospect of seeing him play? Surely, particularly with union sniffing around, you lot should be getting behind the lad?

How soon, days/weeks?

Pryce?

Improved offer for/from who/what?

im guessing Mr No It All will prove once again that he actually Knows F**k All

He has previous?

sam tomkins has next season with wigan then he is off to ru.to be honest it's a short career good luck to the lad

Well the new and improved contract will make him the highest earner at Wigan, maybe in Super League too. Also pressure on the RFL to make adjustments to the SC to stop other players leaving.

I really do hope you "No It All" I would have thought Sam would be pretty high up on highest earners if not top already.