it either leaves Bateman or Faz on the bench, or Joel at centre. The numbers not important, 11 was free so why not. IIRC he wore 11 playing centre,, but that was Madges idea, Wane may think different.
Before he left he had the potential to be the best british centre since Keef Senior, but i suspect he may have come back on the back of a promise to let him go back playing in his fav position

Good to see him return, especially the year before the next RU world cup.

I think you're right in that. He wasn't a great centre and that clouded people's judgement on him at second row IMO. He was exceptional in that position and getting better all the time. He was big and aggressive, ran great lines, defended well and his main quality was his pace which is great for a big bloke. His handling ability is something we've missed in that backrow as well.

If we can get the Joel Tomkins of 2010 back eventually we'll be in a very good position indeed.

Joel Tomkins had his best season in 2010 especially the first half of the season when he become one of the most powerful runners around and a really clinical defender. He still had his pace and even scored a long range try better than the one at Wembley. His best position is second row by far IMO. He showed some awesome glimpses at centre, but that is because he is a great player, not because he is a great centre.

I would only consider playing him at centre if 3 of our 4 centres are injured for a big game as he would still be a better option than Jack Hughes.

It will be interesting to see how he goes at Loose when Lockers is rested, hopefully he can learn to link up like Lockers does and become his natural replacement.

The way I see it, he has been having a rest in Union. The training and particularly the games are nowhere near as demanding. He is 27 but probably is as fresh as the 24 year old who left. No doubt he will have prolonged his career in league by resting in Union for a few years.

People will need to be patient with him though, past examples have proved that the horrible other code can coach all of the ability out of good players. We will see the best of him next season after a full pre-season with our coaching staff and players.

Operation Red Squirrel Rads at his best. www.wiganwarriors.com/WBlogp.aspx?id=22

Operation Red Squirrel Rads at his best. www.wiganwarriors.com/WBlogp.aspx?id=22

A good insight into the whole transfer and the day's events leading to his appearance on the pitch.
I thought that brining Joel onto the pitch with IL was a PR masterstroke.

Probably got Sam Burgess to thank for this in part. Him going to RU pushed Joel even further down the pecking order. However its come about though I think its a great move!

Great blog... whatever Joel brings to the club, he will have to do a lot to be bigger than our very special member of staff... Mr Radlinski.. Take a bow young sir...

Joels obviously is a good playerand I am glad to have him back but he is no superstar like he is being hyped up to be. He is a good, hard working 2nd row that can occasionally break the line but isnt a star signing by any means.

Thankyouverymuch

you know how to make your self look like a negative person don't you. Not 3 weeks ago you was saying a player told you nobody was happy at Wigan and they were all looking to leave and now your trying to tell people that joel isn't a star signing, what are your thoughts on Ryan Hoffman? because when Joel was in the 2nd row he was just as good if not better.

Completely agree, if he hits his 2010 form there isn't a 2nd rower in SL I'd swap him for.