Sam Tomkins puts himself in the shop window

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/10286811/Wigan-Warriors-rugby-league-star-Sam-Tomkins-keen-to-switch-codes-in-time-for-2015-World-Cup.html

Thought it would be a few years before this would happen but great that he's considering at this young age.  He'd be a quality asset if he can make the conversion.  Anyone heard any rumours about which club he might end up at?  Saracens being the obvious one I suppose.  Anyone watch enough league to hazzard a guess as to what position would suit him?  He mentions 10 or 15 in the article but I imagine 10 would be a stretch?

Do we want him?

We already have a HUGE selection of backs...some of them serisouly talented.

The problem is they ALL just need experience...games.

Players like Wade, Daly, Watson, Elliot, Lowe, Joesph (if he makes the form back) Eastmond, J.Tomkins, Tuilagi is still young...and i can go on and on.

We need a core of these getting regular exposure to the international scene...not just bringing in more players "with potential" at union...

Sam Tomkins is seriously good. As a rugby league player I would place him well ahead of Kyle Eastmond and light years ahead of brother Joel.

I had thought he was heading to NRL though, and very much doubt that there would be time for him to switch and assimilate prior to RWC15. After all his stated League ambitions tie him up until the end of november - and AP clubs have their squads all settled now, so would have no room for him.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Do we want him?

We already have a HUGE selection of backs...some of them serisouly talented.

The problem is they ALL just need experience...games.

Players like Wade, Daly, Watson, Elliot, Lowe, Joesph (if he makes the form back) Eastmond, J.Tomkins, Tuilagi is still young...and i can go on and on.

We need a core of these getting regular exposure to the international scene...not just bringing in more players "with potential" at union...

No one is saying parachute him straight into the team. We're only talking about him coming to union and trying to prove himself and that being the case why would you not want to see him do it? I can't say I know tones about him but you don't achieve what he has by the age of 24 without having some serious talent. We do have a lot of options in the backs at the moment but how many of those players listed are putting their hands up with performances saying you literally have no choice to pick me? Lots of potential no doubt but it's about finding the great that rise above the very good and I can't see the issue with giving someone else the chance to do that.

Toadfish I agree. Saracens would be the natural place you would think Sam would go. There's obviously his brother at the club as well as fellow Wigan men Ashton and Farrell.

If he was to come it would likely be next season - 2014-15. I think a season is enough to acclimatise.

The biggest difficulties would of course be the salary cap and where he would fit in.

After Saracens I would say Bath would be his 2nd most likely destination.

Granted I've only seen him once or twice but my impression was he was a brilliant runner but really quite bad under the high ball. Maybe outside centre would be the place for him like his brother?

Im not saying dont have a look at him (ive heard all the reports about his ability) i just think this all sums England up at the moment.

We have a huge array of options...but its like a kid in a sweetshop...constantly distracted by others things in the shop...not picking the one we actually want or the right one.

I think England has a danger of this aswell...we need to stop looking at the the wider picture now and get a solid core of players that we just grind out and work with.

If he is selected at OC we have:
J.Tomkins, Tuilagi, Joseph, Lowe, Trinder

FB
Brown, Foden, Goode.
Is he a better broken field runner than Foden on his day?
Is he as aggressive and difficult to tackle as Brown?

Im just not sure. But im all for giving people chances so if he looks the part fair enough...but he wont come cheap and might the money be better used elsewhere by Sarries or Bath etc...

I also think it will take longer than a year to acclimatize. If he was keen enough he could do that at championship level this season I guess (for a team associated with one of the big boys) but its a big ask for a guy of his talents at the height of his career to take that step down to learn a new trade.

Its a hell of a risk too - as said plenty of options its just a question of would he fit in and where.

I have seen him a lot watching Wigan. I'm not convinced by him defensively, especially under the high ball. He is great ball in hand and is a fantastic broken field runner.

If I were him, I'd be more inclined to go to NRL, but to be honest if I were him, I'd stay at Wigan where him and Charnley are the go to men (and they wouldn't strictly get that in Union or NRL)

Personally I think he would make a good 9,10 or 15.

If he was to come to Sarries I would want to utilise him at 9 as a starting position.

Don't think he is big enough for the centres.

Talking of size for centre makes me think of Eastmond aswell...i think we missed the boat not putting him straight in as 9 aswell. He reminds me of Genia...and as he learns the game more he could have been tremendous there....

Well he's 100x more talented than his brother.

He's make a cracking wing/FB given a bit of time, more likely fb

If a player can't step up from the Premiership to the England team without needing several games to acclimatize then you have to wonder whether our top league is setting the right standards.

Some players can just cut it from day one. Folau didn't take long and Jason Robinson was the same. SBW didn't do too badly from the off either. I'm not totally convinced by Owen Farrell but you have to say that he made more of his first international opportunities than, say, Flood or Hodgson.

I'm all in favour of throwing more players into the mix. I want Ashton and Tuilagi to have class acts breathing down their necks so they can't take selection for granted.

It's a test of our coaching staff. Any fool can select from a small player pool. That's one reason Robinson found it easier at first with Scotland. England will always need coaches set standards high enough that only elite, consistent players get our caps. We already know that will mean a lot of this current generation won't play as many Tests as their puff articles suggest.

He's off to NZ (Auckland) Warriors no? There's also the RL WC coming up. Too late for him in terms of 2015 imo.

According to wiki he has 144 tries in 149 games for Wigan, 19 in 19 for GB and 1 in 1 for the Baabaas. The guy certainly has something about him. If he could grab a season on the wing pre RWC then he could still make it. If he wants to seriously make it he needs to make the change sooner rather than later.

" I'm not totally convinced by Owen Farrell but you have to say that he made more of his first international opportunities than, say, Flood or Hodgson."

Rugby fan, Flood and Hodgeson had to complete with Sir Johnny who was parachuted in at every opportunity. Flood looked both assured at 10 and 12 from the word go but seemingly doesn't have the same 80% kicking ratio to be acclaimed by English fans. Neither had their dad as coach happy to overlook their shortcomings time and time again.

That article states that Tomkins has insisted that nothing has been agreed re. his move to the NRL. I follow League a bit and thought it was a done deal, but obviously not.

It looks like he's weighing up his options. He's a very, very special player in League.

I think he could make a good 15. Whether England needs another option in that position I'm not sure.