I thought Sam was better than Lomax on Friday. Lomax looked as though he was struggling a bit, particularly when he gave up on the chase after Gelling. Sam however looked a bit sharper, the chip and chase and getting back to Swift and Fleming were goo signs for me. I agree that a good rest and strong pre-season would be a BIG bonus for Wigan next year. However, knowing Sam, he'll want to play in every and any game.

I've been in the camp of thinking he'd lost a bit of pace and agility post-NRL, but I saw the first glimmers of hope on Friday that once he gets over any niggles he's carrying/gets his head around his injuries he'll be back to his best.

For me Sam looks to be avoiding contact, which isnt conducive to being a full back these days as it is about chiming into the line and releasing the outside backs (sometimes to the detriment of your own body - especially with the hits that halves take when passing the ball)

Shaul, despite his great attacking skills, isnt that good at putting people into space.

Lomax, for me, is a great full back, but is also one that would benefit from a full pre season

I agree he outplayed Lomax on Friday but overall I've been more impressed with Lomax since his return. That's not to say I think Lomax is the better player because he clearly isn't (or wasn't anyway) but if Sam isn't fully fit then he needs to rest up and the next best option (if he's fully fit) is Lomax.

We have decent options in Shaul and Hardaker but both are practically non exsistent in play making terms and I don't think we can afford that. I suppose another option may be to drop Widdop back to full back as he was very good there prior to moving in to the havles at Melbourne.

As for Sam longer term I think we'll see him back towards his best next year. I actually think he was very good this season in his first 6 or 7 games but I'm convinced he's carrying a knock picked up against Wakey. His timing looks off and his mind seems pre occupied and it's leading to errors we don't ususally see from him.

Hardaker to me is a better version of Mathers, a luxury player with good bits to his game, the bad bits can be masked playing in a top team as they were at Leeds last year. This year he had been non existent for Leeds. I wouldn't class him as a match winner for England. I don't even class him as dependable. I may get shot down, but that's my view.

Shaul is a great broken field runner and great supporting a break, defensively nothing more than average. He doesn't have the ability to act as an extra half back like many do.

That leaves Sam and Lomax, very even at the moment, all to play for if they both want to represent.

Hardaker was diabolical til his move down under. Last year, I doubt we'd have won the treble without his contribution.
Sorry to all those wanting to see Tomkins rested for an extended off season but he has, surely, to be easily the best pick at FB right now. He maybe won't find the form to trouble the aussies but at least it's there to find. I'm not sure the same can be said for Lomax at international level.

he is abysmal... and thats probably being kind.

whats happened to him?

the hunger seems to have vanished from his game.

I can't remember him taking the li me on much in attack in the Widnes half

After initial promise on his return from injury he has quickly gone down hill.

On current form the worst 1 in SL.

If he isn't fit he shouldn't be playing. Stopping and sometimes reversing away from contact is a bizarre and sad sight from such a talented player before his injury.

ive never seen a player of such talent seemingly become so bad overnight.

he is your highest payed player.... but in all honesty, the young fullback coming through the ranks HAS to be better (whoever it is)

Some massive overreactions on here hahaha. The worst 1 in SL hahahahaha give me a break.

With a full pre-season behind him and a more confidence in his knee, he'll be a different player next season

It isn't an overreaction. His form over the last 3 or 4 games has in my opinion been the worst I have seen in SL.

His injury is clearly an issue I accept that and I hope you are right in relation to an offseason helping the situation and I think you may be right, non the less that does not excuse his current performance and selection.

If he isn't recovered he should not be playing. If this is him recovered, which I don't think it is, and the money he is taking on the cap, God help us!

why is it when players have there hair dyed blonde they turn in an utterley e performance.

Didn't Leeds do it a couple of years ago (the whole team) and they were tripe?

you have some very good players, Tompkins isn't one of them, atm he is bang average and that's being kind, imo he shouldn't be anywhere near the England team, but he will be, he just passes the ball, he is not a threat with ball in hand and defensively is poor, plus hes lost his pace, sorry but hes not the player he was, maybe a good of season might see him improve but atm hes poor