Tomkins was fantastic under the high kicks tonight and he has done well defensively so far at full back. The aspect of his play that I dont like is that for me he isnt creative enough at full back. He seems to chime into the line but nearly always goes himself, even when overlaps are on, and doesnt set things up outside him in the way that Roberts does. If he varied his game more in attack he would be much better.

carmonts try?

Tremendous player. Patrolling the goal line, made me think of Radlinski and I am sure that Kris will have been coaching him. Lets just count our blessings that we have a home grown player of his calibre

Sam was superb at Full Back tonight (ignoring the dropped ball which is just one of those things).

He was solid in defence all night, and did well to still be on the field such was the treatment he received from Ablett and Bailey.

He loses no freedom in attack or creativity at 1 either.

Shaun Edwards was a a substitute full back

before half back, if you'd like to draw that comparison

Sam has been excellent at Fullback the past two games especially, his attacking contribution seems even better given the space at 1, and his defence is excellent (just look at Peacock's break through, it was Sam's first hit in the tackle that allowed the other players to complete, JP didn't drive over him like you'd expect)

And Billy Slater is 5'10", Sam Tomkins is 5'10", Billy just has more mass on him - but that's the 27 year old Billy Slater, not the 21 year old one like Sam

He's a great player who will excell pretty much anywhere he gets played - for me the modern fullback role is offering him even more of an opportunity to contribute and develop.

Sam was fantastic, he will be fantastic where ever he plays, just 1 mistake in those conditions tonight after everything they bombed at him is brilliant. That tackle on Kylie in 1st half was superb for a man thats 'too small' on a big fat prop 5 mtrs away from the try line

Gotta say i disagree with the original post, Ok so he isn't the tallest fullback in the world, which might at somepoints give him a disadvantage but for that one disadvantage there is a lot of advantages, the balls he showed tonight where unreal, especially after the hit off ablett to carry on like he did in such a big game showed balls and nerves of steel.

Also playing him there i feel gives us that extra dimension going forward.

I don't like Sam tomkins(or Joel) but I can't deny what a player he is, great in attack, tackle anything, pace and the heart of a lion but IMO he ain't a fullback.

If saints play Wigan again this year I'm more than happy for him to play fullback, I think Leeds had him a little rattled today with kicks and roughed him up.

I'm not saying he won't make good fullback because he will but I think he is better stand off IMO.

Thought he dealt with everything Leeds threw at him very well. Made the right call on every kick he had to defend despite Leeds tactic of trying to take him out. I credit Burrow for the dropped ball rather than criticise Sam.

I think Leeds went out of their way to rattle him (they even had one guy trying to break his jaw).....and failed miserably.

He's as safe as houses back there and he provides something few others do in attack.

That said I'm not sure I like him there long term.

I agree, leeds tried put s tomkins off his game.

I also disagree with the OP.

The highlighted bit means we can play Deacon in the halves which IMO is good.

Nooooooooooo, you think?

Some balls on the lad, not even two minutes after Ablett's 'tackle' on him he was getting himself underneath another bomb despite being under massive pressure.

He's a class act no matter where he plays, a natural RL player.

Sam is one hell of a player, one hell of a competitor and has unbelievable guts and bottle. He's the best stand off in superleague and would be easily the best fullback in superleague if he stays there on a regular basis. He's just a freak of a player and we're so lucky to have him as are England.

I hope he has a big play off series and wins us a couple of big games because his talent warrents playing leading roles in big game victories.

Heart of a lion that lad and wigan through and through . We have a gem on our hands. He is outstanding wherever he plays

Agreed. If a first class FB became availiable i would love to have Sam free to play in any of the back positions, but have no problem with him at FB. Gifted player.

disagree with the OP, thought Sam looked assured, confident and creative at FB. Think this is where he is seen long term. I can't see the questions about his size tbh given what he coped with last night and he marshalled the back very well when receiving Leeds kicks especially early on when they tried to catch him out by kicking on the 4th tackle.

What about his two tackles in the last two weeks on Sam Moa and Peacock, bothe rampaging props, both put on their arrises.

never mind you can always wallow in wellens world class qualities

I didn't think it was a good idea to put him at full back originally because I thought he'd get run over by any prop that made a break, how wrong I was! I'm very happy for Sam Tomkins to stay at full back until Roberts is back up to speed.

Sam would never be run over in defence. He is the most determined little git i've ever seen and is as brave as they come. His technique to bring down both Moa last week and Peacock this was outstanding. He always makes me laugh when he gets stood up in a tackle by 2 or 3 defenders and they'll be trying to pull him down to the floor and can't! He'll have props, second rowers etc winging all over him in sheers frustration and he still refuses to go down.

I'm actually worried about the prospect of Amos being deemed fit within the next few weeks because unless he's 100% confident as well as fit he can be more of a liability than anyone else on the pitch. In addition to this we need Deacon in as much as possible for his kicking and organisation now he's hitting some form and I think it would be highly unfair on Goulding to drop him after how well he's been playing but also too big a risk. Amos is a fantastic player and scored some of the best tries I have seen from a Wigan player in years but we've adapted well to playing without him I'm just worried that he's seen by Madge as a must for the first team and they'll risk him too early. At Leeds in the CC and Saints at home he shouldn't have been anywhere near the first team.

Well said, to be honest at the moment I don't see how anybody is a candidate for being dropped.