Super League: Wigan Warriors re-sign Joel Tomkins from Saracens
Thursday 19 June 2014 11:30, UK
Super League champions Wigan Warriors have re-signed dual code international Joel Tomkins from Saracens on a four-and-a-half year contract.
The 27-year-old is back in rugby league after three years union where he played over 40 games for the Aviva Premiership club while he also won three caps for England.
Tomkins came through the youth system at Wigan, making his debut against Widnes Vikings in 2005 aged 18.
The former league centre has already made 117 appearances for Wigan, scoring 40 ties, including a spectacular effort in their 2011 Challenge Cup final win over Leeds Rhinos.
Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan told the club’s official website: “To bring a player of the calibre of Joel Tomkins back to Wigan and back to rugby league gives me great pleasure.
“His positive motives for returning will also send shockwaves across the sporting world where many people perceive sportsmen as being driven purely by money.
Welcome back
"We said when he left that we hoped he would return one day to pull on the famous Cherry and White shirt and this is a proud day for the Wigan club. I've no doubt this will be welcomed by everyone associated with Rugby League, none more so than by Wigan fans."
Tomkins thoroughly enjoyed his time with Saracens, but is now delighted to be back in league. Although he will have to wait to make a second debut for Wigan as he is currently recovering from a bulging disc in his back.
“I'd like to thank Saracens for the opportunity for me to try a different sport, a different lifestyle and also for assisting my development which allowed me to represent my country and fulfil one of my ambitions,” said Tomkins.
“However, after a long thought-out process and at this stage in my life, I realised that the timing was right to come home. I am very grateful to Wigan Warriors for taking me back to the best Rugby Club in the world.
“I grew up in Wigan and came through the Academy system from the age of 13. It means everything to me to pull on the famous Cherry and White jersey again.”
Head coach Shaun Wane added: “To see Joel Tomkins come back to us demonstrates the strength of the culture we have here at Wigan and shows that the grass isn't always greener elsewhere.”
