Super League: Joel Tomkins took a pay cut to return to Wigan Warriors
Thursday 19 June 2014 16:19, UK
Joel Tomkins has revealed he took a pay cut to return to rugby league with Wigan Warriors.
The 27-year-old cut short his stay in rugby union with Saracens by signing a four-and-a-half year deal with his old club after they paid an undisclosed fee for his services.
Tomkins said: "Obviously the salary cap in rugby union is bigger so the wages are bigger but my motivation in moving to rugby union was never financial.
"I wanted to try something different and I'm glad I did it. I've had some good experiences."
Wigan-born Tomkins made three appearances for England during his three seasons in the 15-man code but admits he jumped at the chance to return to his roots, especially under his old mentor Shaun Wane.
Opportunity
"I left the club on really good terms," he said. "Me and chairman Ian Lenagan always said, if the time is right, there would be an opportunity to come back and the time feels right now.
It's the best rugby club in the world. One of my main regrets when I left was that I never got to play under Shaun in the first team.
"The top and bottom of it is that I feel I am a better rugby league player than I am a rugby union player. I enjoy playing rugby league more than rugby union.
"I'm 27 now and I feel I have a lot more to give still to the game and to this club. It's about repaying the club now for the confidence they've shown in me.
"It's the best rugby club in the world. One of my main regrets when I left was that I never got to play under Shaun in the first team. I've been with Shaun since I was 13 and it will be nice to work with him in the first team.
"All the family are really chuffed. We've got our first baby on the way so it's quite an exciting time for us off the field as well as on. I'm just looking forward to getting back it."
