DaveO made a valid point on another thread. Joel is being 'allowed' to leave without much of a fight from the RFL. The same can be said for Eastmond and Ashton, yet the RFL are rumoured to be paying a 37 year old ex RU players wages. Absolute madness.

With this clown in charge, its hardly surprising:

Taken from tuther site, soon changed his mind then.

[urlhttp://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/03/09/joel-tomkins-ive-got-no-desire-to-leave-wigan-for-rugby-union/[/url

Article is dated 9th March, may have changed his mind since article was written

Hence, "soon changed his mind then"

Then the RFL need to get professionals in to help the teams that aren't creating enough turnover to meet the salary cap, and start punishing those that don't spend up to it.

Rewarding mediocrity is madness - if you can't afford to spend up to the salary cap then you shouldn't be in SL.

As for Wigan/Saints et al seeing no point in attracting money or chasing sponsors. Why? That money can be used for a myriad of things, not just player wages.

Im not to bothered about butter fingers joel but if Sam goes this team will not even mid table contenders next season

You're talking $hite as usual.

What a stupid comment that is.

Not bothered about Joel? One of the most athletic and powerful players in SL? You should be bothered! If Sam goes he goes and we get on with it end of! Of course it's bad for our club but I remember Hanley leaving, offiah, Edwards bell, henry paul, betts, etc. All great players for Wigan and we just got on with it. These things happen in sport and it's not the end of the world. Good luck to em!!

Whilst this is true, most had given years of loyal service to our club and we had their best years before moving on, none of the above (other than perhaps Henry Paul) were taken from us whilst in their early-mid-twenties.

Butter fingers Joel? He's our best second rower, did you watch him during our championship winning season? If sam and Joel go we'll have bigger things to worry about than where we finish in the league next year.