Nice one

True.

Long was booed playing for GB in the game against Australia at the DW in 2004, after the betting scandal. Not as widespread as the morons at Headingley, but booed nonetheless.

But the boos soon disappeared as we went on to win the game. Sport fans are very fickle and Tomkins is just a decent performance for England away from being cheered from the pitch.

Goes without saying what Long did was in a different stratosphere to Tomkins who is just a little bit annoying. The boos he got playing for England were an utter disgrace. I can only imagine the people doing it don't remember the all conquering Wigan team - the likes of Edwards were 1,000 times more annoying than Tomkins but got our full support in a GB shirt, it's pathetic.

tomkins is class, no doubt... but for me finch has been our best player over the last ten games

i was told in the sponsors lounge yesterday that he has been carrying a injury for the last three weeks.he gets rid of the ball as soon as he can and thats not his normal style.

I heard this. Arm injury occured at the Wire game I believe.

He played against Saints with his elbow pretty heavily strapped IIRC

Well if this is true just one (hopefully two) more games and he can concentrate on getting 100% fit in the off season. Bollocks to him playing for England after what happened last time.

He picked it up just before HT in the Saints game, strapped it up and Madge left him out there.

Was it a gamble worth taking? Not sure saying we got a second bite but no one likes losing to the enemy.

Having a half fit STomkins on the field is better than having a fully fit first choice full back in most teams case.

I think he initially did it against Crusaders. I remember him shouting to the physio in that game and shortly after getting it strapped up.

Going back to the union talk, I believe Sam has it written into his contract that when he has won a Grand final and a Challenge cup (Which he has both) he is free to leave the club whenever he likes. Not sure is true but it was a good source and I have no reason not to believe it.

I hope he stays for the rest of his career but can't see it happening and the treatment he is getting from opposition players, coaches, fans and the media will only hasten his exit.

I also hope he gets the MOS as that will dispell the myth that he is hated by his peers and could be the confidence boost he needs as he doesn't look happy at the moment (admittedly this could be down to injury)

So basically the new long-term contract he signed at the start of the season said he can leave if he won a challenge cup. Hmmmmmmmm.



Yep, the kind of deal Lenegan would happily agree to.

Yeah he has had his left arm heavily strapped, but i didnt notice that against Catalans.

Just what I got told, from a source I have no reason not to believe

Indeed you don't and you'll have no reason if they've delivered previously. Unfortunately given the info you supplied, and the fact I don't know them, I have every reason not to believe it.

Pretty reliable source.

You sure they're not on a wind-up?

Didn't seem to be.

That's the strangest clause in a player's contract I've ever heard of. If we are successful he can leave? Surely he'd put something in the other way round. Like footballers have clauses in their contract where they can leave if they dont qualify for the champions league.

Where I was coming from as well.

Basically win one CC during the 5 years and you can go. Not the best contract is it?

Just gone back and had a look and Sam was already contracted until the end of 2014 and the new contract replaced this - obviously upgraded to reflect his new status. So I think we can safely say that Lenegan would not replace a contract that had 4 years to run with a new one that could let him leave after a year if we won the CC.

Lenagan sought advice from Brian Noble who convinced him we have 'a duty of care' to young Sam and that as soon as we won the challenge cup we'd let him leave for £3.50 and a friendly against Aspull RUFC.

Good deal for everyone.

Is it not possible that this was written into his original contract which was signed before we won any trophies and this clause could not legally be taken out??

No. It was a new contract he signed, not an extension to a previous one.

Thanks for the sensible input



Like I said, only what I have been told from a very good source that has no reason to make something like this up

I would say the smart money would be on that being in his old contract and we took it out and put a little extra on his wages