Joel Tomkins not pining for Wigan"s Grand Final as he focuses on union with ...

Tomkins is in the Saxons squad with Eastmond in the senior squad. Bath’s

Jonathan Joseph played in both Tests in the outside channel. He, too, is in

the Saxons squad, as is Northampton’s Luther Burrell, another to play mainly

at inside-centre but with a skill set that could suit either position.

The next tranche of matches will be critical ahead of selection for the

opening match of the QBE autumn Test series against Australia

at Twickenham on Nov 2. Tomkins has an advantage in that Saracens have

Heineken Cup matches against Connacht and Toulouse to show what he has to

offer while the Bath duo compete in the Amlin Challenge  Cup.

“Joel is not going to suffer stage fright if he were to be picked for

England,” Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall said.

“The higher up he goes in a sport, the better he is. He would relish it, not

be cowed by it. He has brought over that big-game mentality from rugby

league. He has improved so much in the last six months, especially in his

decision-making. He is forceful, physical, has great offloading skills and

is in the mould of [long-standing All Black centre] Conrad Smith.”

Tomkins is uncomfortable with too much talk of international possibilities,

aware that he has to earn his stripes. But he is a self-assured character,

more than happy to acknowledge that it was the lure of international rugby

that encouraged him to switch codes.

“The 2015 Rugby World Cup is a definite goal,” said Tomkins, who has been

involved in England training camps. “Coming over when I did gave me a chance

of making that. I did wonder at times if I had made the right decision as I

battled to come to terms with a new game but I have no regrets at all. Far

from it. I’m loving it. I just want to perform for Saracens and what happens

after that will happen.

“These are exciting times. Of course they are. There are a few lads looking to

stake their England claims over the next few weeks and that competition will

bring the best out of us all.”

There is no disputing Tomkins’s potential. He stands at 6ft  3in and, as any

who saw his length-of-the-field Challenge Cup final try at Wembley against

Leeds Rhinos two years ago will testify, he has pace – a devastating asset

in that outside channel. His Wembley try was teed up by brother Sam. There

is a refreshing absence of any tit-for-tat jibes about the relative merit of

the respective sports.

“We’ve both always appreciated both codes,” said Tomkins, mindful that there

is a real Wigan connection, too, at Saracens in the Farrell family and St

John Fisher school-mate Chris Ashton.

“I’m glad all the rumours about where Sam is going to play are at an end. He

will only be 27 by the time his three-year contract with the Warriors comes

to an end, so who knows where he will end up.”

A Tomkins double act in an England rugby union midfield? First things first.

Big brother Joel has his own future to define. The coming weeks will be

illuminating.

Code breakers

CHRIS ASHTON
League (2005-07) Wigan and England (4 caps).
Union (2007-) Northampton, Saracens, England (30 caps).

Wigan refused to smash salary cap as Northampton offered £140,000.

ANDY FARRELL

League (1991-2004) Wigan, England (11 caps), GB (34 caps).
Union (2005-09) Saracens, England (8 caps).

League’s world player of the year when moved to Saracens in 2005.

JASON ROBINSON
League (1991-2000) Hunslet, Wigan, England (7  caps), GB (12 caps).
Union (1996 and 2000-07, 2010) Bath, Sale, Fylde, England (51 caps),

British and Irish Lions (5 caps).

Became first player to represent England in both codes.

Article source: http://caledonianmercury.com/2013/09/30/rugby-a-tale-of-two-cities/0042008

Joel Tomkins not pining for Wigan"s Grand Final as he focuses on union with ...