Exclusive: Catalans Dragons star Sam Tomkins set to make Channel 4 appearance after disappointing defeat to Leeds Rhinos

It’s fair to say that Channel 4 has taken rugby league by storm in 2023.

After signing a two-year broadcasting deal before the season began, Channel 4 gained access to the world of rugby league.

Considering the dominance of Sky Sports over the sport, there was both apprehension and anticipation about how well the game would be received on terrestrial television with lunchtime kick-offs at the weekend.

Well, those doubts were well and truly blown out of the water when the first game was broadcast live between the Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves.

Over three quarters of a million people tuned in to watch Warrington just about get over the line against their Super League rivals.

But, despite those numbers dropping for the second live game between Hull FC and St Helens, hundreds of thousands of people continue to get their rugby league fix from Channel 4 – hence the increasing clamour for more games to be broadcast in 2023.

Channel 4 Super League will once more return to our screens on Saturday lunchtime when St Helens host the Salford Red Devils in the play-off semi-finals with a place in the Super League Grand Final at the stake.

Included in the punditry line-up will be Catalans Dragons star Sam Tomkins who, fresh from a bitter defeat against the Leeds Rhinos at home, will be looking to impress with the microphone once more.

Tomkins has been a gem when put in front of the Channel 4 cameras in 2022, coming across eloquent and witty as well as showcasing his personality on screen.

Alongside Tomkins will be the enigmatic Danika Prim with Mark Wilson and Kyle Amor once more on commentary duties as St Helens Women’s star Jodie Cunningham also in the studio.

It promises to be an incredible tie on Saturday and one which certainly has the Channel 4 team to underpin that.