Skip to content

Sam Tomkins wants to add to his try-scoring record against France on Sunday

Image: Sam Tomkins touches down against France at New Craven Park

Sam Tomkins is keen to build on his record-breaking try-tally in next Sunday's autumn series final against France.

He has some way to go before matching the legendary status of another Wigan winger, Mick Sullivan, who scored 41 tries in 46 Great Britain appearances from 1954-63, but, at 23, Tomkins could have a decade of international rugby league in front of him.

Pressure

Leeds' Zak Hardaker, the 2012 Super League young player of the year, was the man to make way for Tomkins' return, despite scoring two tries on an impressive Test debut in Wrexham, and the Wigan ace says he is facing pressure to keep his spot. "Zak is a quality player - he showed that last week," said Tomkins. "It's great that there's competition for places in every position. I'd say at the moment Zak is pushing me all the way." Tomkins' tryscoring feat was overshadowed by 21-year-old centre Kallum Watkins, who scored a hat-trick on his second appearance for England, while winger Tom Briscoe also touched down twice on his recall and skipper Kevin Sinfield contributed a try and six goals to take his points tally to 40 from two matches as captain. Hooker Kane Bentley scored a late try to ensure France were not whitewashed and Tomkins believes there is much room for improvement by England going into Sunday's final, their last international fixture for 12 months. "It was probably all right," he said. "Defensively I think we were pretty good, our attack wasn't so good but we'll improve that for next week. France will be better but we'll match that improvement." England could be without second rower Gareth Ellis for the final after he was put on report by New Zealand referee Shane Rehm for a tackle that left France full-back Cyril Stacul with concussion. An international match-review panel will examine the incident on Monday to decide whether the former Leeds and Wests Tigers player, who is joining Hull for 2013, is to face a disciplinary hearing.

Around Sky