Chairman Lenagan Fights Rugby Union over Tomkins

The Chairman of the Wigan Warriors, Ian Lenagan, has fought the departure of Joel Tomkins, an England international rugby player, to the Saracens. The blow was softened by Lenagan’s announcement that though Joel (24), the second rower who later played centre, has jumped ship, his leaving has earned the Wigan Warriors £250,000 as compensation. Wigan has managed to fight off any bids for the younger Tomkins brother, Sam, who also plays full back for England.

Lenagan also announced the details of a collaboration with the Saracens, the Champions of the Aviva Premiership. The Saracens are coached by Andy Farrell, a former player who captained the Wigan Warriors. This collaboration will include a match across codes over the next one year. There is also a possibility of the teams swapping players.

The Tomkins Brothers

Joel Tomkins had four years of his contract with Wigan left to complete, before he shifted teams. He will join the Saracens team once he returns from his holiday in Lanzarote. He will not, however, be accompanied by Sam Tomkins in the near future.

Sam Tomkins (22), played for England in the Four Nations Cup and was presented at a press conference held at Wigan. Sam has signed a new five year contract with Wigan. This contract carries a clause which prohibits him from entering into talks with any NRL Club or the Rugby Union for the next three years.

This will ensure that the full-back will be on the English Team for the World Cup in 2013. The RFL is hoping to prevent any more defections by allowing special exceptions to the salary cap that is imposed on all the members of the Engage Super League. Wealthy clubs like Wigan aim to pay their major players more.

Lenagan’s Plans for the NRL

After helping negotiate the regulations which will ensure Tomkins is the highest paid Rugby player in the league, Lenagan downplayed the threat of the 15-man code. He went on to suggest that Wigan could start poaching players from the Rugby Union.

He said that the Rugby Union and NRL can work closely, as they are different games. Lenagan said that he isn’t afraid of players defecting to the Rugby Union as there is just as much risk of players joining the NRL since the pound is more valuable currently than the dollar.

No related posts.