Tomkins in a league of his own

Sam Tomkins: Marked his first every game of rugby union with a try

Where I am from people don't know what rugby union is and I am glad I have had the chance to play but I am still a rugby league player.

Sam Tomkins
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

• Wigan Warriors

Also see

• Experts
• Rugby on Sky
• Scores
• Highlights
• £10 Free Bet
• Twitter

Sam Tomkins now understands rugby union a bit more after his appearance for the Barbarians - but insists he is still very much a rugby league player.

Despite never playing the 15-man code before in his life, the Wigan full-back but was picked to start on the wing for the Baa-Baas against Australia.

Although the Wallabies ran out handsome winners in the fixture at Twickenham, Tomkins - who played for England in the Four Nations final on the previous weekend - did mark his afternoon with a late consolation try.

"When I came in on Tuesday I was so raw I didn't even know what the numbers for each position were," said Tomkins.

"The boys were saying 'we'll play this off the 12 or the 10' and I didn't even know where those blokes were so that was a bit of a challenge.

"There are so many differences between league and union. I understand it a little bit more now.

"Where I am from people don't know what rugby union is and I am glad I have had the chance to play but I am still a rugby league player.

"The try was a good way to finish it off but we didn't manage to get much going."

Speculation

Tomkins recently agreed a new deal with the Warriors, with a clause in it stating that he cannot talk to rugby union or NRL clubs for three years.

However, that has not stopped speculation that the England international could follow his brother Joel, who has signed for Saracens, in switching codes.

Graham Henry, who coached the Barbarians, believes the player would certainly be an asset for any team that had him in their ranks.

"There's no doubt that Sam's a talented footballer who will be a big success in either rugby code," said the former New Zealand coach.

"He had never played union before - he didn't know what a ruck was or what a maul was. He has got good balance, he's quick and he's got a good head."